League Cup: After Diogo Jota's Heroics Jurgen Klopp Reveals Why Liverpool Decided To Sign Him

Jurgen Klopp revealed why Liverpool FC signed Diogo Jota after the Portuguese star fired the Reds into the League Cup final on Friday.

Liverpool are without their key forwards Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota and their absence were indeed felt in the first semi-final leg against Arsenal, which ended in a goalless draw at Anfield.

However, Jota ensured that did not repeat in the return leg in London as he netted a brace in Liverpool’s 2-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium.

In a post-match conference when Klopp was asked about Jota’s impact, the German boss said, it was "mentality mixed with quality" before adding it was the reason the Reds signed him.

"Mentality mixed up with quality was the reason we signed him because the way he played at Wolves, the yards he had to make there, the runs he had to make, the defending he had to do, but he was still always able to produce some really exciting stuff. That was the reason we signed him," Klopp was quoted by Liverpool’s media, as saying after his side’s win against the Gunners.

Liverpool signed Jota at $56 million from Wolves in the summer of 2020. He finished his maiden campaign with the Reds with 13 goals and an assist from 30 competitive appearances.

The Portuguese forward took little time to link up with Liverpool’s established front-three: Salah, Mane and Roberto Firmino. In the ongoing season, Jota already has 14 goals and two assists from 27 games, across competitions for Liverpool.

"Now, in our kit, it is really nice to see. He didn't only step up tonight, yes he scored two goals but he is incredibly important for us, so the mix of his skills is really exciting. He is in a good shape as well and long may it continue," added Klopp in the same conference.

Both goals of Jota were assisted by Liverpool’s right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, taking the young defender’s tally to an incredible 15 assists in the 2021-22 campaign.

"Diogo’s first goal was outstanding from him, the type of player he is. And again the second goal, he has done outstanding again. He is a world-class player in possibly the best form he’s found himself in at the club so far. Hopefully more goals for him and hopefully we’ll be able to get a win in the final," Alexander-Arnold told Liverpool’s media after the match.

Liverpool will lock horns with Chelsea in the League Cup final on Feb. 27 at the Wembley Stadium, London. A win in the final would make the Reds the most successful team in the competition with nine trophies.