Press conferenceDiogo Jota: Ibrox clash is important for our UCL aims
Diogo Jota covered topics including Liverpool's form, their Champions League campaign and his role in the team during Tuesday's pre-match press conference.
The Portugal forward answered journalists’ questions at Ibrox ahead of the Reds’ European tie against Rangers on Wednesday night.
Read a transcript below...
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Watch on YouTubeWatch Klopp and Jota's pre-match press conference
On whether he feels the team can do more to return to form…
Obviously we can always do more – that’s what we do. But now when you look back you have the feeling like everything went a bit against us [against Arsenal], but it’s part of the past now. We need to focus to change the ship, like I used to say, because now it is a different competition, a different scenario and tomorrow we play a big game [that is] important for our qualification. So we need to be 100 per cent focused on that.
On whether the Premier League title race is beyond Liverpool this season…
Well, it is very hard to say. Obviously last season we had, not a similar situation, but we were far behind as well. There are still a lot of games to play. At the moment it doesn’t seem viable but we never know and obviously tomorrow it is a different competition. We are in a good position and tomorrow we can make that position even better, so that’s what we want.
On the levels of belief in the squad that this season can still be a success…
Yes, this season is still in the beginning. We didn’t play for the cups yet, for example. We are in a good position, like I say, in the Champions League. Obviously we are not in the position where we wanted to be in the Prem but it is still early stages so [there is] still a lot to play [for] and we know this season will be different because of the World Cup. So we have a few more weeks to make things easier for us for whenever we return to competition in December.
On whether he sees an opportunity to make the left-sided forward role his own while Luis Diaz is out injured…
Well, I am ready to play there – and to play whichever position the manager feels I am important to the team. And like always, as a striker, as a winger, as a No.10, I will be on it with my 100 per cent best because that’s the way I am. So if it is required for me to play different positions that is what I will do.
On how much he has enjoyed playing in the No.10 role in recent games…
Last couple of games, not really a No.10 but a bit more behind Darwin in those two games. Like I said, it’s a bit different but I try to give my best and to help the team the way I can. Obviously we got a good result, [then] not such a good result, but tomorrow is another opportunity.
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Watch on YouTubeInside Anfield: Liverpool 2-0 Rangers
On whether it will help him as a forward if Rangers adopt a more attacking approach to their strategy at Anfield…
I understand your question [but] obviously I don’t know how they are going to line up, how they are going to play. We know how we faced them last week and probably they want to change things slightly, so if they provide us with a different challenge then we just need to be ready for that and we know that can happen because obviously they play here in front of their fans and they will probably require something different from them. But we are also expecting that.
On whether he sets himself a target for goals and assists…
No, I am not that kind of person that sets targets for the seasons and all these kind of things. I always want to improve myself but it also depends a lot on whichever position you are playing, for example, and that can change things slightly. What I do want is to always be involved in those attacking situations and each game is a new opportunity for that and tomorrow I’ll be ready for it.
On what he has seen from Darwin Nunez in training and whether there is more to come from him…
Well, I think like in life sometimes you get over things. Obviously he started really well and people were starting to think his adaptation was never a problem but maybe it required a few more games to get used to that level that he showed us and he showed everyone last year. And with this run of games he is having, he has already scored and I think he is finding himself in a better position and people in the squad are understanding his game better. So it’s good for everyone and tomorrow will be more proof of that, I hope.
