Diogo Jota scored Liverpool's sole goal against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, as they drew against the Seagulls in the Premier League.
Jota continued his string of very impressive performances since signing for Liverpool from Wolves in the summer for £45 million, scoring his ninth goal for Liverpool in 14 games in all competitions this season.
Liverpool legend Ray Houghton was full of praise for the Portuguese forward, especially after another superb display against Brighton.
Jota's goal was his eighth goal in his last eight games, drawing level with Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler, who now share the same record for the least appearances needed [eight] to scoring their first five Premier League goals for Liverpool.
Speaking on talkSPORT on Saturday, Houghton claimed that the 23-year-old has already become more established than team-mate Takumi Minamino, who has found it hard to find his feet at the club and make an impact ever since he signed from Red Bull Salzburg for £8 million in January.
Houghton claimed that "Jota's gone well ahead of him now," and that "Jota's little one-two with Salah, the movement and the finish, it was exquisite. The way he goes past defenders is incredible."
Minamino has played in 18 of Liverpool's last 25 games, also starting against Brighton, yet he had only played more than 45 minutes on only three occasions prior to his appearance on Saturday.
Minamino is still a very peripheral figure in the side, despite Liverpool's struggles with injuries and COVID-19 isolation measures.
Houghton added that "With Minamino, when you come into a team you've got to hit the ground running, so for an attacking player like him that means either creating goals or scoring goals".
"If you haven’t done either, then that’s where the manager says I’ve got other player who can do that and is probably more effective, that’s why his time has been limited in a Liverpool shirt."
Houghton concluded by saying "Having watched him prior to coming here, I thought he was better playing a little bit higher up the field, whereas at the moment he’s been employed in a deeper role, he’s playing in a midfield three today."
Liverpool eventually drew thanks to a 93rd minute penalty scored by Pascal Groß, after a controversial game filled with VAR drama.
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