'Jota came on': Portugal manager now shares how Liverpool star did replacing Cristiano Ronaldo last night

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Diogo Jota has earned a reputation for himself as one of Liverpool’s most reliable attackers, and this status is now starting to bleed over into the international game with Portugal.

The 27-year-old attacker forced Jan Bednarek to score an own goal for Poland last night as Portugal came with a 3-1 win in the UEFA Nations League, with Jota coming on for Cristiano Ronaldo just after the hour mark.

With Virgil van Dijk and Luis Diaz impressed with Jota after the striker’s most recent Liverpool performance against Crystal Palace, the £45m signing from Wolves remains a key man for the big moments for club and country this season.

And Portugal manager Roberto Martinez has now shared his verdict on Jota’s cameo against Poland.

Jota lauded by Portugal manager after influential appearance

Speaking to the press after last night’s win, the former Everton manager pointed out Jota for praise, with Martinez saying the Liverpool man did ‘very well’ as Ronaldo’s replacement in the second-half for Portugal.

Martinez said when asked about Jota’s performance for Portugal: “It’s important, it’s part of managing players because there are two games in 72 hours. Diogo Jota came on and did very well, it’s important to use the players we have on the bench. Cristiano is perfect now.”

With Scotland next up for Portugal, Jota will be looking to start at Hampden Park against his Liverpool teammates in Andy Robertson and Ben Doak in what will be an entertaining game in the Nations League.

And with Martinez giving Jota a glowing review after his performance on Saturday, the Liverpool striker could make the starting XI alongside Ronaldo to give Portugal as much firepower as possible at the start of the match.

Jota can become Portugal’s next talisman once Ronaldo retires

With Ronaldo inching closer to international retirement, there’s a real chance that Jota could step up to become Portugal’s next talisman in the attack given his impressive goalscoring record in recent years.

Jota has shown he is a striker who will score when given half a chance, with the forward showing against Poland that he can be a real threat even after just a few minutes on the pitch for Portugal.

And with Ronaldo likely to retire in the next two years, Jota can become Portugal’s next leading man in the attack, with the Liverpool man more than ready for such a task.