What to do with Diogo Jota?
Up next in our ‘What to do’ series, we look at Liverpool’s Diogo Jota. Specifically, should FPL managers keep or sell him?
What to do?
Although his 2020/21 campaign was restricted to just 1,106 minutes due to injury, Diogo Jota still found time for nine goals. Continuing from that, this 2021/22 season has been his best by far.
However, the January arrival of Luis Diaz ensured that five Liverpool attackers were competing for three places and experienced FPL managers opted to avoid the uncertainty.
With Liverpool entering the final match just one point behind Man City, they are still fighting for this title (in the words of Kevin Keegan). It’s just hard to tell how involved Jota will be in Sunday’s fight.
Jota’s form
15 goals and seven assists have arrived from 34 appearances – 25 of which were starts. He is the game’s joint-fifth highest-scoring midfielder, amassing a 17.2% ownership. For a large portion of this season, he was a fantastic out-of-position route into the supreme Liverpool attack, with the whole world also captaining team mate Mohamed Salah.
Considering Jota has only played 69% of Liverpool’s minutes, finishing third within the whole league for non-penalty expected goals (NPxG) is outstanding. Despite this, all he has been able to produce in his last six games is three assists.
Liverpool’s busy schedule
Here is the big question. Considering Jurgen Klopp has utilised his whole squad during an intense schedule that has included going all the way in the FA Cup and Champions League, who will he play on the final day?
Liverpool face Jota’s former club Wolves but he has played the most minutes out of himself, Salah, Diaz and Sadio Mane during their last three matches. Even if Klopp picks his strongest XI, knowing the Champions League final is a week away, does Jota make that line-up?
He was the only one of the four to participate against Southampton on Tuesday night. Furthermore, he was named on the bench for both the FA Cup final and the semi-final against Man City.
FPL Alternatives
If Klopp doesn’t give any hints during his pre-match press conference, FPL managers have some compelling alternatives at a similar price. Luis Diaz is one although – again – it depends on Klopp’s comments. Phil Foden should start for Man City in their quest to get the win required to remain champions.
Additionally, it’s hard to resist a Chelsea midfielder like Mason Mount when they host already-relegated Watford. He has a good record versus the bottom four sides. 24 and 13 points came against Norwich, with 13 points in Gameweek 36 at Leeds. The reverse match at the Hornets brought in 12.
Thoughts from the FPL community
FPL Timbers believes Tuesday’s rotation allows Klopp to give match fitness to his preferred XI ahead of Real Madrid.
But FPL Chubbs thinks Jota, Mane and Diaz will be the front three and recommends them as differentials.
