'World-class' player surely now heading for Anfield exit after latest Rayan Cherki development - opinion
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In recent weeks, speculation surrounding Liverpool’s transfer business has dominated the back pages.
The Reds have been linked with a host of attacking players, which is quite strange as that’s arguably their strongest area on the pitch.
Eintracht Frankfurt’s Omar Marmoush is wanted by Liverpool, while a report from France earlier today confirmed that Arne Slot has given the green light to sign Rayan Cherki from Lyon.
If recent speculation is anything to go by, a popular player could be about to bid goodbye to the Anfield faithful in 2025.
Liverpool could part with Diogo Jota at the end of the season
Diogo Jota has delivered the goods in front of goal since joining the club from Wolves in the summer of 2020.
The Portuguese international was added to the squad after the Reds won the title to add more unpredictability, with Thiago Alcantara also joining the club around the same time as him.
It goes without saying that Jota has fared quite well for the club and remains a key asset, but at what point do his injury issues become a major problem?
| Diogo Jota stats | Apps | Goals | Assists | Yellow cards | Mins played |
| Liverpool FC | 155 | 60 | 21 | 12 | 9.097′ |
Looking at the rest of the Liverpool attack, the likes of Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz have delivered consistently under the new manager, while Federico Chiesa has barely had a kick since joining.
Darwin Nunez is another interesting case, but to be fair to the Uruguayan, he’s the only out-and-out number nine at the club and is fit more often that not to at least be a reliable backup option for Slot.
Jota, on the other hand, has been blighted by injuries throughout his Liverpool career and could be the one to make way if the Reds decide to press ahead with their interest in Marmoush or Cherki.
Jota’s injury record at Liverpool
Curtis Jones feels Jota is a ‘world-class’ goalscorer and there won’t be too many arguments there as he’s arguably Liverpool’s most lethal finisher.
However, one look at his injury record proves that he’s hardly an indispensable asset as the Reds have had to make do without him for large parts of every season since he joined in the summer of 2020.
Jota is tied down at the club until 2027, but if the Reds decide to sign another forward, it remains to be seen if they stand in his way if they get a suitable offer.
