'A natural finisher who was always feared by defences'

Diogo Jota was primarily a wide forward but was often used centrally by Liverpool manager Arne Slot in the title-winning season Diogo Jota, who has died in a car crash aged 28, was a natural goalscorer who played a pivotal role in Liverpool's successes in recent years as well as in Portugal's Nations League triumphs. Jota signed for Liverpool in a £45m deal from Wolverhampton Wanderers in September 2020 after helping Nuno Espirito Santo's side return to the Premier League. His composure in front of goal made him a match-winner on many occasions under Jurgen Klopp and then Arne Slot. Indeed, some judges regarded him as Liverpool's most natural finisher, despite the presence in the team of one of the greatest players in the club's history, Mohamed Salah. When Jota signed, Klopp said: "He is a player who gives us so many options to use. He's 23 years old, still far away from being kind of a finished article - he has so much potential. "He has the speed, he can combine with other players, can defend, can press. It gives us real options for different systems." Jota brought all this and more to Liverpool. He was in the team that won a domestic cup double of the FA and League Cups in 2022, and despite latterly being hampered by injuries, he still made vital contributions last season. It was trademark Jota when he headed the equaliser seconds after coming on as a substitute at Nottingham Forest in January, then scored the winner in the Merseyside derby against Everton in April. Jota's strike against their Merseyside rivals encapsulated all the qualities that made him an adored figure among Liverpool fans as they recaptured their old dominance domestically. He took two touches in a packed penalty area - his sleight of foot evading Everton's defence - before he wrong-footed goalkeeper Jordan Pickford with a right-foot finish in front of The Kop. This video can not be played Jota's final goal for Liverpool wins Merseyside derby He had a lengthy spell on the sidelines last season after picking up a rib injury against Chelsea early in the campaign, but when he returned he demonstrated his sure touch in front of goal and the priceless knack of being in the right place at the right time. Salah understandably claimed more headlines, but Jota's goals were often key and he was a striker always feared by defences because of his finishing prowess. Having outgrown his local club Gondomar, in the Porto area, he moved to Pacos de Ferreira aged 16. But his burgeoning career was at risk a year later, when a heart problem was detected during pre-season tests. Just as he did in front of goal, Jota stayed calm. "I knew it could mean quitting football, but I didn't believe for a second that it was going to happen," he said in 2021. He missed the entire pre-season and the start of the 2014-15 campaign before being cleared to return. His drive was evident from the fact he approached the youth team co-ordinator at Pacos de Ferreira, Gilberto Andrade, asking for help to learn a foreign language. Then 17, he told Andrade he hoped to play abroad one day and wanted to be ready for the opportunity. His first move abroad was fleeting, joining Atletico Madrid in 2016 before swiftly being loaned to Porto, where his brother Andre Silva, who also died in the crash, was a youth player. Jota then came to prominence in England when he joined Wolves, initially on loan, from Atletico in July 2017. The move was made permanent as he showed his class, scoring 44 goals in 131 games at Molineux before the switch to Liverpool. This video can not be played Jota lifts Premier League trophy at Anfield The forward became a hero at Wolves, scoring 18 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions in 2017-18 as they returned to the top flight as Championship title winners. He enjoyed his best goalscoring return at Liverpool with 21 goals in 55 games in 2021-22, part of an impressive overall haul of 65 in 182 appearances. Hugely popular with his team-mates and Liverpool supporters, Jota fitted comfortably into Klopp's all-action and potent attack. Then under Slot he was frequently selected as the central striker in preference to high-priced number nine Darwin Nunez as the title came to Anfield for the 20th time last season. Jota was also a force at international level with Portugal, playing his part in their Nations League final against Spain - the second time he claimed the trophy. He came on as an extra-time substitute before they won on penalties and that game now carries added poignancy as the final act of a stellar career cut short in its prime. Diogo Jota made 26 appearances - 12 as a substitute - and scored six times as Liverpool won the 2024-25 Premier League Diogo Jota won the Premier League, FA Cup and EFL Cup after joining Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 Diogo Jota was popular at Wolves before he moved to Liverpool in 2020