Firmino Is Still Ahead Of Jota In Klopp’s Pecking Order, Former Liverpool Midfielder Feels

Former Liverpool winger Steve McManaman said Roberto Firmino is still ahead of Diogo Jota in Jurgen Klopp’s pecking order.

Liverpool won the 2020-21 Premier League with their attack of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, and Firmino. Even though Klopp had a well-settled attack, he signed Jota from Wolves at the summer transfer window.

Jota, who has been a hit since his $53 million arrival to Anfield, scored in Liverpool’s recent Premier League outing where the Reds drew 1-1 against Brighton.

"I still think Jurgen Klopp likes the fact he can rely on Firmino, Mane, and Salah at the moment. As much as Jota has been absolutely fantastic, I think he (Jota) would still be the one to drop out at the moment. If his form carries on, that might change but he won the league with the other three so he knows they can trust them fully," McManaman was quoted by Goal, as saying.

The former forward also said that the only concern for the Reds is the center-back position following the injuries to Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, adding that Klopp has no regrets over selling Dejan Lovren as the injuries could not have been planned for and he would like to see the Reds sign a defender.

"I think the only area is in the central defensive area. I don’t think so in any other area of the pitch. People keep saying that they let Lovren go and they never replaced him which is true but you don’t expect two or three injuries in the same positions. If I had the money would I bring someone in? Yes. I don’t know what the financial situation is. Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk are out for a significant amount of time. You can move Fabinho back into the center-half area where he has been fantastic," McManaman said.