2024/25 Player Preview: Can Diogo Jota stay fit to fire the Reds to glory?

The months quickly became weeks and those weeks are soon to be days until the new Premier League season gets underway.

In addition, Liverpool will once again be competing in the Champions League this season which is exactly where they belong. Participation in the two domestic cup's will mean there is going to be no shortage of opportunities for the Reds.

As we look ahead to this season under new boss Arne Slot, I'm going to be doing some deep dives into various players to preview what kind of impact they might have this season.

We are beginning this player preview adventure with one of the best pure finishers the club has seen and that is of course Diogo Jota.

Fitness will always be the first challenge

There are not many things to dislike about Jota's game. The one thing that has capped the 27-year old's consistent impact with the club is a litany of injuries.

If he is able to stay fit for the majority of this season and play in 35+ matches, this could be his most productive campaign in Red thus far.

His positioning in the final third is probably the best among any of the current crop of forwards and that includes Mohamed Salah. He is always in the right spot to pounce on rebounds or loose balls and tuck them away neatly into the back of the net.

When Jota is not worrying about ramping up from fitness and can just play the game, this elite attacking movement can do a lot to create space and chances for others.

Let him focus on his football and being the best player he can be and Slot could have a very dangerous player on his hands once again.

Jota could be an ideal fit in Arne Slot's system

There has been so much talk over the new system that the Dutch coach is bringing to Liverpool this season and beyond.

We've seen from the preseason fixtures in the US that we will be trying to play more possession based football with a lot of interchanging parts, especially across the front line.

This more deliberate and controlled style of attack is something that should suit the way Jota plays. He is a versatile forward that can play wide or centrally depending on the situation. He should be able to thrive in the new setup as a result of this versatility.

Jota does not have world class pace or strength, but his football IQ and spatial awareness are what truly sets him apart from others.

These mental traits are tools that Slot and his staff could harness in combination with the Portuguese's elite finishing to truly bring out the best in Liverpool's No. 20.

The Verdict

Whether or not Jota spends most of his time this season in the Starting XI or coming off the bench as a super sub, there is no denying that he has an important role to play.

The attributes that make him so good, his positioning, awareness, clinical finishing and composure in the final 1/3 makes him an ideal Arne Slot player.

As is always the case with him, his biggest obstacle will be staying off the treatment table. If he can remain mostly healthy I fully expect a very good 18-24 goals across all competitions. I foresee him scoring some very big goals as well, particularly late in games.

The stars are aligning for what could be his best season yet at Liverpool.