Arne Slot has remained tight-lipped on Liverpool's chances of signing Newcastle's wantaway striker Alexander Isak ahead of Monday's massive clash.
Slot addressed ongoing Isak sagaLiverpool face Newcastle on MondayIsak will not be involved for MagpiesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! đ˘đąWHAT HAPPENED?
The summer transfer saga rumbles on with Isak refusing to play for Newcastle and Liverpool yet to make another bid for the Sweden international. The offer of ÂŁ110 million ($148m) came three weeks ago and boss Slot says there is no update to share on the Anfield club making another. But the Dutchman appreciates it remains the hottest topic in football during this transfer window.
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Isak wants to move to Anfield but Newcastle are refusing to sanction the transfer. Earlier in the week the Swede issued an emotional statement, hinting at "broken promises", while Newcastle replied with a firm rebuttal. And while this happens the Magpies are playing without their star striker, who scored 25 goals in all competitions last term, and have been unable to find a suitable replacement.
WHAT SLOT SAID
Slot said: "What I can tell you is not a lot. And if someone else asks that question, it's going to be the same answer. As I've said so many times and it's been shown on Friday, I could impact the game with who we had on the bench. Federico came in and scored a goal. So it would be much nicer for us to talk about the players who we have but I understand you have to ask the question."
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR ISAK?
Newcastle are desperate for a resolution to the Isak conundrum as soon as possible. Not only to end the circus which is currently engulfing them but also because they have gone three consecutive Premier League matches without a goal, having bagged 21 goals in the eight prior to that. And it's Liverpool who they face next.
However, Andre Gomes is back and available, and Richarlison should be fine after a sore ankle.
The Latest: No van de Beek
Unfortunately for the Goodison Park faithful, van de Beek ‘isn’t’ available for the game, as per Boyland.
The Manchester United loanee has not played since March, and continues to watch on from the sidelines.
The Verdict: Blow
It certainly is a blow for Frank Lampard and his team to be without van de Beek once more.
The Netherlands international ranks highly among his teammates in terms of average tackles and passes per game in the Premier League, while his 84.9% pass accuracy is the highest out of any Blues player to have played in five or more matches in the division (WhoScored).
The Toffees have had an absolutely abysmal record away from home this campaign, and they will certainly miss van de Beek’s calming influence on the ball when they travel down to the King Power Stadium, in the hope of getting another big result.
In other news, find out what ‘serious upgrade’ EFC are now eyeing here!
Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur also play crucial hands with the bat as low-scoring game goes visitors’ way
ESPNcricinfo staff04-Nov-2019Punam Raut led a competent Indian batting show, with Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur playing excellent supporting roles, before the Indian spinners got into the act to hand West Indies women a 53-run defeat and bring the three-ODI series back on level terms in North Sound.The first game of the series had been a thriller, going down to the last ball before Anisa Mohammed performed the star turn to give the home team a one-run win. The Indians needed to hit the ground running this time, and though they lost openers Jemimah Rodrigues and Priya Punia with just 17 runs on the board, Raut and Raj steadied the innings well after that.The going was slow. When the two had come together at the end of the ninth over, not a single ball had gone to the ropes, and it took Raj to get there off the third ball she faced, sending Shabika Gajnabi for four. She followed it up with one more, off Aaliyah Alleyne, but even as she settled in well, Raut seemed content playing the patience game, knocking the ball around for ones and twos and scoring her runs with a strike rate in the 30s.Raj comfortably outscored Raut in their 66-run stand and half the innings had gone before Raut finally found the boundary off the 70th delivery she faced. But Raj fell almost immediately after for a 67-ball 40, to Sheneta Grimmond.The complexion of the game, however, changed after that as Kaur walked in with more intent than the ones before her, and her 93-run stand for the fourth wicket with Raut was a quick one in the circumstances, coming in just under 18 overs. Kaur hit 46 off 52 balls, with four fours, and Raut also stepped it up in Kaur’s company, bringing up her half-century and hitting three more fours, including two in one Stacy-Ann King over – the 46th of the innings – before they were both dismissed within six balls. Kaur was bowled by Alleyne while Raut was caught by Alleyne off Afy Fletcher.By then, though, India had reached 178, and small contributions from Taniya Bhatia and Deepti Sharma took them to 191 for 6, which didn’t seem like too many but proved much more than enough in the end.That was because, much like the West Indians, the Indian bowlers too choked the batters, preventing the scoring rate to ever become a concern. Shikha Pandey accounted for King early on, and the chase stuttered further when Natasha McLean had to be stretchered off after going down clutching her hamstring while taking a run.The scoreboard read 33 for 1 (McLean didn’t return to bat), and though Shemaine Campbelle and Stafanie Taylor revived the chase with a 45-run stand after that, once the spinners got into the act, only one team was going to win.Taylor, who had hit a match-winning 94 in the first game, made 20 off 31 balls, but then became Poonam Yadav’s first victim. Yadav got her second not long after, sending back Chedean Nation. Then, Sharma got Kyshona Knight caught behind by Bhatia, and Rajeshwari Gayakwad had Grimmond stumped by the wicketkeeper. Campbelle also couldn’t carry on, her vigil ending after 90 balls in the middle when Gayakwad had her caught by Raut for 39, and though Alleyne (16 off 43 balls) and Fletcher (14 off 18) did their bit, it wasn’t enough.The third and final game of the series, a part of the Women’s Championship, will be played on Wednesday at the same venue.
Youngsters must come in with the mindset that they will get only a few opportunities to make mark, says Virat Kohli
Hemant Brar15-Sep-2019With the T20 World Cup just over a year away, Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri, the India captain and coach respectively, have laid out their expectations from Rishabh Pant.WATCH on ESPN+
India v South Africa is available in the US on Hotstar and ESPN+. Subscribe to ESPN+ and tune into the three T20s and three Tests. Sunday, Sep 15, 9.20 am ET on ESPN+: India v SA, 1st T20, Dharamsala Wednesday, Sep 18, 9.20 am ET on ESPN+: India v SA, 2nd T20, Mohali Sunday, Sep 22, 9.20 am ET on ESPN+: India v SA, 3rd T20, Bengaluru
The wicketkeeper-batsman’s shot selection has been under the scanner. While reiterating his faith in Pant’s talent and destructive ability, Shastri did say that some of the youngster’s decisions with the bat had let the team down.”When you see a shot like the one in Trinidad, off the first ball, [it’s disappointing],” Shastri said in an interview to , referring to Pant skipping down the track to Fabian Allen in India’s third ODI against West Indies in Port of Spain, only to mistime his loft to mid-off.”He tries to repeat it a couple of times and gets out, he will be told,” Shastri said. “There will be a rap on the knuckles there – talent or no talent – because you are letting the team down, forget letting yourself down. You are letting the team down in a situation where you have the captain at the other end [Kohli was at the crease when Pant got out with India needing 164 off 22.3 overs]. You have a target to chase where the need of the hour is some sensible cricket.”That innings was Pant’s second first-ball duck on the tour of the West Indies. In the first T20I in Lauderhill, too, he had top-edged a slog sweep off Sunil Narine.”No one will change his style but match awareness becomes crucial, shot selection becomes crucial in particular situations,” Shastri explained. “If he can fathom that out, he could be unstoppable. You mentioned how many games [it would take], it could be one game, it could be four games. I don’t see more than that. He will learn. He has played enough IPL cricket. So it’s time now for him to step on to the stage and just show the world how devastating he is.”
Even when I came into the team, it’s not like you got 15 opportunities. You would get five, and you have to make the most of it. And that’s the level that we are playing atVirat Kohli
Kohli said the expectation was not for Pant to change his approach and natural game but to read situations better.”Expectations are only of reading situations,” Kohli said. “You don’t expect a guy to play according to what you might be thinking. It’s about analysing the situation and finding your own way of dealing with the situation. Someone like Rishabh might hit five boundaries in a difficult situation compared to me who likes to take ones and twos and get out of it. So everyone has their own game. But reading the situation and decision-making is the expectation from all the players, including myself.”India’s schedule over the next few months is focused on preparing the team for the T20 World Cup, and while there is likely to be an effort at widening the pool and giving opportunities to potential candidates, Kohli said that those aiming to make a mark couldn’t expect more than about five games to do so.”Youngsters are being pushed into the side from time to time because you need to figure out who are the people who have the mentality, the mindset and the character to take the [team’s] vision forward,” Kohli said. “We are very clear on the fact that ⌠even when I came into the team, it’s not like you got 15 opportunities. You would get five, and you have to make the most of it. And that’s the level that we are playing at.”I think the individuals coming in need to have that mindset. The team definitely has that mindset. The guys who grab the opportunities quickly, they grab the opportunities, it’s as simple as that. I think it’s a delicate balance to strike. But it’s necessary, because you have 30 matches to go, and you need to figure out how much time can be given to each individual for them to ease into the team.”Shastri felt that a pool of approximately 18 players to choose from should be the target immediately before the T20 World Cup. “I would say a pool of 18 players [would be ideal],” Shastri said. “We already have 15, so if you get another three from the outside in that span, you have got your pool. But the important thing is to be prepared to invest, not be scared that you might lose an odd game or two.”
Manchester United are set to present their long-term striker plans to Benjamin Sesko as they prepare a formal offer for the RB Leipzig star. The Red Devils are determined to prove that the Slovenian is their No.1 priority this summer, amid rival interest from Newcastle. Sesko is expected to make a final decision in the coming days between the Red Devils and the Magpies.
Man Utd prepare formal bid for RB Leipzig striker SeskoRed Devils to present striker project to convince SlovenianSesko weighing United and Newcastle offers ahead of decisionFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! đ˘đąWHAT HAPPENED?
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has reported that Manchester United have informed RB Leipzig of their intention to submit a formal bid for Sesko. The Red Devils are also preparing to present a detailed plan to the player outlining how he fits into their future. Sesko is weighing up proposals from both Manchester United and Newcastle, with the Old Trafford outfit currently in pole position.
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The move for Sesko is reportedly being pushed by Manchester Unitedâs head of recruitment, Christopher Vivell, despite manager Ruben Amorim preferring other options. The ÂŁ64m-rated striker has become the Red Devils' top target following internal disagreements over striker priorities. INEOS sees Sesko as a key piece in their rebuild, and believes he could thrive alongside Rasmus Hojlund.
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Sesko is believed to favour a move to Manchester United, with Newcastle still hopeful of swaying the decision. Despite speculation, Hojlund is not expected to leave, and Amorim sees Seskoâs arrival as healthy competition for the Dane, who scored in United's 4-1 win over Bournemouth in a recent friendly and reaffirmed his commitment to the club.
WHAT NEXT FOR SESKO?
Manchester United are expected to submit their official bid in the coming days and present their project directly to Sesko. The striker will then make a final decision between the two Premier League suitors. RB Leipzig are open to selling if the valuation is met, paving the way for a potential transfer before mid-August.
Leeds United could target as many as four major signings this summer transfer window, according to The Athletic’s Phil Hay…
What’s the word?
The ever-reliable reporter delivered a fresh claim on the Whites’ potential off-season plans during a Q&A session with supporters this weekend. In response to one question about transfers, he responded:
“If Leeds stay up, they’ll try again to sign Brenden Aaronson from Salzburg. There’s a good chance of that happening. They want Calvin Ramsay from Aberdeen and James Garner at Man Utd is someone they’ve looked at. I’d also expect them to look for another centre forward.”
[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-leeds-united-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-and-much-more” title=”Read the latest Leeds United news and rumours!”]
Four much-needed additions
United boss Jesse Marsch will certainly need a bit of a squad revamp come to the summer as the Yorkshire giants have battled with the prospect of relegation from the Premier League all campaign.
And they are by no means safe just yet.
Leeds have failed to sign a new central midfield option in nearly four-and-a-half years, the last being Adam Forshaw, who joined from Championship side Middlesbrough in January 2018.
Mateusz Klich has struggled for form and both Forshaw and Kalvin Phillips have suffered from injury worries, so it’s no surprise to see the club linked with two new options in Aaronson and Garner.
Marsch has managed the former before, at RB Salzburg, so that seems to have legs, whilst the Manchester United gem is someone that the Yorkshiremen have been linked to in the past.
Ramsay would be perhaps one for the future, though vice-captain Luke Ayling, 30, isn’t getting any younger and the young Aberdeen gem’s versatility could see him emerge as a potential solution to Leeds’ left-sided woes.
Meanwhile, the absence of Patrick Bamford for the majority of 2021/22 has certainly been their main Achilles’ heel this term. He does not have an out-and-out backup and it’s hurt the side immensely.
Only Raphinha (ten goals) has hit double figures with the England international bagging 17 times last season.
If the Peacocks’ hierarchy, namely Victor Orta and Andrea Radrizzani, can land all four, if not half of these targets – and Leeds stay up – then Elland Road will surely be bouncing heading into next term.
It could well be the start of an exciting new era in west Yorkshire.
AND in other news, Fewer touches than Meslier: ÂŁ45m-rated Leeds passenger badly let Marsch down vs City…
Afghanistan allrounder will continue to play white-ball cricket, but wants younger players to take over in the longest format
Mohammad Isam06-Sep-2019Afghanistan allrounder Mohammad Nabi has informed the Afghanistan Cricket Board of his decision to retire from Test cricket after the ongoing one-off game in Bangladesh.Nazim Zar Abdur Rahim Zai, the team manager, made a statement at the end of the second day’s play in Chattogram saying that Nabi, 34, would continue to play white-ball cricket, but wants younger players to take his place in the longest format.”Though this is very early for Nabi to stop playing Test matches, this being his third Test match, he will resign from Test matches and this is his last Test,” the team manager said. “I hope he plays well. He bowled well today. He told me that newcomers will join Tests, though he will continue in ODI and T20Is for Afghanistan.”Nabi has been one of Afghanistan’s most influential cricketers right from the time they started playing international cricket, or even in the period when they were coming up the ranks to where they are now.He has been a popular pick and a consistent representative for Afghanistan in the worldwide T20 circuit. Including the IPL and the Big Bash League, Nabi has played in most major domestic T20 leagues for several years, apart from also playing almost every game for Afghanistan.Most recently, Nabi had made a strong impression in the Vitality Blast for Kent, taking eight wickets and scoring 147 runs.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney intend to run the Welcome to Wrexham documentary indefinitely as they will never ârun out of storiesâ to tell.
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Takeover completed in 2021Every move caught on cameraMore series in the pipelineWHAT HAPPENED?
The Hollywood superstars invited cameras into the Racecourse from the moment that they put a stunning takeover in place, with the plan always being to open up a window to the world. The show has exceeded all expectations, with prestigious awards raining down on North Wales.
AdvertisementGetty/GOALWHAT MCELHENNEY SAID
Season three has reached a thrilling conclusion, with a fourth already confirmed, and McElhenney has told of why there is no threat of the series being shut down due to lack of content: âOur goal, ultimately, is to document the rise of the club and the town for as long as we possibly can because it is just a wellspring of story. When I hear people say, 'Well, eventually youâre going to run out of stories,â Iâm like, âReally? Because we havenât for thousands of years'.â
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Reynolds and McElhenney have made Welcome to Wrexham about much more than football, with the pair happy to show a side of themselves that is not always seen in popular sitcoms and blockbuster films. McElhenney added: âIâm used to looking at myself in editing rooms for âItâs Always Sunny in Philadelphiaâ for 20 years and choosing comedy over vanity or choosing storytelling over vanity. Welcome to Wrexham is a bit more difficult because now Iâm not playing a character.â
McElhenney admits that there are scenes he âwas not necessarily ashamedâ of but usually âwouldnât want to present myself to the worldâ that way. He went on to say: âI knew that they would have to go in because itâs compelling. Sometimes itâs funny, but ultimately, itâs honest. And so those moments stay in the show.â
Getty ImagesDID YOU KNOW?
Reynolds added on that theme: âJust to piggyback on that, talent can create something incredible. You can even make something incredible through ego. But vanity will f*cking destroy you every time, particularly when crafting a movie, show or anything that is trying to connect with people. You cannot connect with people through the prism of vanity.â
To date, new manager Russell Martin has made seven signings, four of whom debuted during Tuesday night’s Champions League qualifier.
Nevertheless, plenty more new arrivals are forecast, with the Glasgow giants tipped to sign a centre-forward, currently available as a free agent, who has plenty of Premier League experience.
Alfredo Morelos' Rangers career
In the post-liquidation era, no Rangers striker has come close to Alfredo Morelos’ impact at Ibrox.
The Colombian international made 269 appearances for the Gers, scoring 124 goals and registering 57 assists.
Of these goals, 33 came in UEFA competition, thereby becoming the club’s all-time record goalscorer in Europe, surpassing Ally McCoist, while only Henrik Larsson, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar have scored more goals in the history of the Europa League (including qualifiers).
Then-manager Steven Gerrard stated back in 2019 that he’ll “never get bored” of praising Morelos as he “keeps providing game-changing moments”, while Jordan Campbell of the Athletic outlined his importance to the club’s success in recent years.
Meantime, Nick McPheat of BBC Sport noted how Morelos’ ‘standout performances’, particularly in the Europa League, will forever be remembered fondly, having been ‘integral’ to their continental adventures and Premiership title triumph of 2020/21.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
So now, could Rangers be about to sign their best centre-forward since the enigmatic Colombian?
The latest on Rangers' strikers
On Tuesday night, the Martin era at Rangers officially began, as his new-look side beat Panathinaikos 2-0 in a Champions League qualifier at Ibrox.
Spectacular second-half strikes from teenager Findlay Curtis, making only his second-ever start for the club, and then debutant Djeidi Gassama mean the Gers will take a decent advantage to Athens next Wednesday, albeit the job is far from complete.
Danilo led the line from the start in mid-week, before Cyriel Dessers and Hamza Igamane, who’ve both been strongly linked with a move away this summer, were introduced for the final 15 minutes, suggesting they could be on the move, leaving the club in the market for a new centre-forward.
Well, speaking on Football Insiderâs podcast, former Aberdeen CEO Keith Wyness believes that Rangers should attempt to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin, stating that the England international could “reinvent himself and be a superhero” at Ibrox.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin in action for Everton.
The 28-year-old is a free agent after leaving Everton, having made 273 appearances for the Toffees, scoring 71 goals, whom he joined nigh on a decade ago.
Calvert-Lewin is purportedly on the radar of numerous clubs; Mark Critchley and Laurie Whitwell of The Athletic claim that Manchester United have ‘been offered the chance to sign’ him, while Newcastle have also been touted as potential suitors.
Everton's DominicCalvert-Lewincelebrates their third goal, an own goal scored by Tottenham Hotspur's Archie Gray
However, could he do a reverse Duncan Ferguson by swapping Everton for Rangers?
Well, despite his well-documented injury record, Calvert-Lewin is a proven goalscorer at Premier League level, as the table below documents.
2024/25
26
3
2023/24
32
7
2022/23
17
2
2021/22
17
5
2020/21
33
16
2019/20
36
13
2018/19
35
6
2017/18
32
4
2016/17
11
1
As the table outlines, since his peak in 2019/20 and 2020/21, Calvert-Lewin’s importance at Everton did diminish, but his ability has never come into question.
Speaking on Sky Sports, prior to the Blues’ clash with Manchester City in May 2023, Patrick Vieira praised the striker’s hold-up play, describing him as a “complete” centre-forward, while Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout simply labelled him a “pure poacher” and a “monster”.
Meantime, Patrick Boyland of the Athletic documents that, without his ‘critical goals’, Everton probably would have been relegated in recent seasons, noting that he thrives ‘on a specific type of service’ which allows him to ‘bully defenders’, forecasting that he is certainly capable of ‘rediscovering the magic of old’.
With Rangers now firm favourites to dump out Panathinaikos, thereby setting up a third qualifying round meeting with, probably, Servette, perhaps the prospect of Champions League football could entice Calvert-Lewin north of Hadrian’s Wall.
Should he do so, this would surely represent a serious game-changer for Martin, as he seeks to dethrone Celtic at the summit of Scottish football.
Worth more than Gassama: Rangers hit gold on Ibrox star who Chelsea wanted
Rangers have hit the jackpot on this star who is now worth even more than Djeidi Gassama.
Liverpool turn their attention back to the Premier League this weekend as they travel away from Anfield to take on Fulham at Craven Cottage this afternoon.
The Reds have the chance to move level on points with Arsenal at the top of the division, although they would need a big ten-goal swing in goal difference to go ahead of them, if they pick up all three points against Marco Silva's side.
Jurgen Klopp's men, despite winning the second leg 1-0, were knocked out of the Europa League by Serie A side Atalanta on Thursday night, and must quickly move on from that disappointment to bounce back in the Premier League.
Liverpool have also failed to win in their last two domestic outings, with a 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace and a 2-2 draw with Manchester United, which is why it is so important that they return to winning ways today.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp
Klopp may look to make some changes to the starting XI that lined up against Atalanta last time out. With this in mind, the boss must unleash Diogo Jota over Cody Gakpo.
Cody Gakpo's goalscoring form
The Netherlands international was selected to lead the line, with Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah either side of him, but he failed to register a single effort on goal.
He has only scored one goal, which came in a 3-1 win over Sheffield United, in his last seven matches for the club in all competitions, which speaks to his lack of goal threat.
The 24-year-old forward, who was signed from PSV in January of last year, has scored 21 goals in 74 appearances for Liverpool so far, but has only managed six strikes in 30 games in the Premier League this term.
Appearances
30
xG
6.33
Goals
6
Big chances missed
5
xA
1.6
Assists
3
As you can see in the table above, Gakpo is almost underperforming his xG and has been helped out by his teammates, who have scored three goals from 1.6 xA created by the former PSV star.
Quite simply, the right-footed attacker has not provided a consistent threat in the final third as either a scorer or creator of goals, whether that is down the left as a winger or through the middle as a centre-forward, in the Premier League.
The Dutch gem has not done enough to prove that he deserves to be a regular starter for the Reds through the middle of the pitch, and that is why the manager should drop him down to the bench for this clash with Fulham.
Jota must now be unleashed in his place as the Portugal international has the finishing quality to put Fulham to the sword this afternoon.
In fact, former Liverpool defender and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher claimed in January that the forward is "clinical" in the final third and a better finisher than Salah, as well as legends Luis Suarez and Robbie Fowler.
Mohamed Salah's finishing this season
The Egypt international's finishing has not been at the peak of his powers in the Premier League for the Reds so far this season, with some wasteful displays from the attacker.
Over his last four league appearances for Liverpool, Salah has had an astonishing 23 shots on goal and scored one from open play and one from the penalty spot.
The experienced star has scored 17 goals from 26 matches in the top-flight, which is a solid return, but it has come from an Expected Goals (xG) of 18.27.
Salah has missed 13 'big chances' in the division and his xG underpeformance suggests that the attacker should have more goals than he has.
Appearances
38
xG
21.68
Goals
19
Big chances created
15
Assists
12
As you can see in the table above, the 31-year-old whiz also underperformed his xG in the Premier League last season, with 19 goals from an expected tally of between 21 and 22.
These statistics show that Salah's finishing has not been impressively efficient in the league over the last two campaigns, as he has missed 30 'big chances' and scored 36 goals from an xG of 39.95.
Jota, on the other hand, has been ruthless in front of goal for Liverpool and Klopp must unleash his lethal finisher from the start ahead of Gakpo this afternoon.
Diogo Jota's big xG overperformance
The Portuguese ace scored seven goals from an xG of 6.5 in 22 appearances and 12 starts in the Premier League during the 2022/23 campaign.
He made the most of the opportunities that his teammates created for him in front of goal throughout the season, and that has been the case once again this term.
Appearances
5
Starts
2
xG
2.08
Goals
3
Big chances created
2
Assists
0
As you can see in the table above, Jota has been efficient in the Europa League this season, with three goals from 2.08 xG in five outings before the Reds were knocked out of the competition on Thursday night against Atalanta.
His finishing in the Premier League has been even more impressive. The former Wolverhampton Wanderers star has fired in nine goals from an xG of 4.91 in just 13 starts, and 20 appearances in total.
Jota, who has also recorded four assists in that time, has two goals and one assist in his last four Premier League starts for Liverpool, and must be brought back into the XI.
Liverpool forward Diogo Jota
His exceptional finishing quality, with 16 goals from 11.41 xG in the league since the start of last season, backs up Carragher's comment on him being a better finisher than Salah, who has been wasteful during the same period.
The Portugal international has proven that he has the ability to be ruthless and effective in front of goal when his teammates create high-quality chances for him, which is something Gakpo is yet to prove.
Therefore, the £140k-per-week star should be selected to lead the line for the Reds against Fulham this afternoon, as his statistics suggest that he is Klopp's best choice to fire his team to the win against the Cottagers.