Jurgen Klopp has admitted he ignored the advice of Liverpool’s medical staff not to bring in Diogo Jota against Burnley.
Ahead of the Boxing Day trip to Burnley, Klopp said it would be “amazing” if Jota is allowed to join.
The manager surprised everyone when the team sheet was finally revealed an hour before kick-off with the Portuguese on the bench after a month’s absence at Turf Moor.
Jota scored the decisive second goal in Liverpool’s 2-0 win, once again demonstrating his ability to be in the right place at the right time and, most importantly, finish off chances.Speaking to reporters after the match, Klopp revealed that Jota refused to go to the club’s medical staff when he was sent off shortly after recovering.
“We included him in the team,” he explained in the post-match press conference.“He had only trained twice and the medical department wanted to give him more training. I said, ‘It could be at Burnley.’”So he played tonight and now he can train well tomorrow and be ready for Newcastle, which really helps.”
In an interview with LFCTV, Jota recalled the “crazy 24 hours” in which he learned late that he was needed in the game and what it means to score for “special people”.”It’s been a crazy 24 hours. “To be honest, I didn’t expect to be in the XI,” he said.“I was at home when I found out I had to come back to join the team and from that moment I knew I had to do it.
“Today I have special people, my family, celebrating Christmas.”It was great to win, score, get back on the pitch and get the three points. I think it was the best Christmas present ever! Asked how his presence was noticed at the last minute and how it affected his training, Jota replied: “I don’t know.”
Of course I’ve been training with the team for the last few days, but I’m working on it because I’m ready. “It was a special feeling knowing I was coming in today and to come back with a goal is always special.”
