Jamie Carragher delivers three-word verdict after Diogo Jota scores with first touch against Nottingham Forest

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Liverpool had to wait a long while for their opening goal against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday.

The Reds came out knowing they’d be facing one of their biggest tests of the Premier League season against the in-form Forest.

With Nuno Espiritio Santo’s side in the form of their lives, they hit the front against Liverpool with a Chris Wood goal inside seven minutes.

From there, the Reds inevitably found it tough to break down their well organised opponent.

Ultimately, Arne Slot was forced to turn to his substitutes bench for inspiration. And what an inspired substitution the Liverpool head coach ultimately made.

With his first touch of the ball, Kostas Tsimikas put the perfect corner onto the head of Diogo Jota, who nodded in with what was also his very first touch. Watching on, Jamie Carragher gave his reaction.

Jamie Carragher reacts to Diogo Jota goal

How Liverpool need Jota on Tuesday. The game was absolutely crying out for the little Portuguese.

Eventually, Slot turned to the man who got the Reds’ winner at the City Ground back in 2022.

Predictably, Jota then did what Jota does best: get a goal.

The 28-year-old could actually actually have got a hat-trick, with a couple of super stops from goalkeeper Mats Selz keeping him out.

READ MORE: Why Arne Slot was left fuming with referee Chris Kavanagh during Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest

But the goal was a big moment, and taking to X after it went in, Carragher voiced his approval.

“Jota the slotter!” the Liverpool legend said simply.

Jota makes the difference for Liverpool

Although he’s been a little slow to get back into his groove after injury, Jota has been in good form of late.

And while the experiment with Luis Diaz through the middle has generally worked this season, it did not at the City Ground. The game was desperate for Jota’s introduction.

Literally instantly, the No.20 changed the game in Liverpool’s favour. He was really unlucky not to add another later on, too.

With Darwin Nunez out of form, Jota sent out another message to Slot that he needs to be his central striker moving forward. Jota the slotter indeed.