
"Having Him In Side Changed The Dynamics": Jurgen Klopp On Late Footballer Diogo Jota
Slot looked back on last season's tight battle with Arsenal, stressing the importance of fighting for fine margins again this year.
Speaking on JioHotstar's special show, 'Preview of the Season 2025-26', Slot praised Jota's achievements over the past year.
"He was a champion for his family, which is the most important thing. He was a champion for his country, winning the Nations League for a nation he loves [Portugal] and cares deeply about. And he was a champion for us by helping win the Premier League," Slot said.
Klopp hailed Jota's influence on the team's dynamics. Further, Klopp also highlighted Jota's impact on the team, saying, "Diogo was an incredibly important player for us. Having him in the side changed the dynamics."
Jota began his football career in his hometown of Porto in Portugal, where he played for the Pacos de Ferreira academy before joining Atletico Madrid in the Spanish League in 2016.
However, he never played for Atletico Madrid and later returned to Porto on loan. In 2018, the Portuguese player was signed by the Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers, also known as Wolves, and for the next two years, he was under the fellow Portuguese manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
Jota made his debut for the Portugal national team in November 2019 and featured in the Euro 2022 and 2024 for his national side. However, he was not part of the squad during the FIFA World Cup 2022, as he was out injured. Recently, in May this year, Jota was part of the Portugal side which won the UEFA Nations League, defeating Spain in penalties and winning their second Nations League title.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Bournemouth confirms Kluivert and Christie to miss Premier League opener at Liverpool
BOURNEMOUTH, England (AP) — Justin Kluivert and Ryan Christie will miss Bournemouth's season opener at defending champion Liverpool, manager Andoni Iraola confirmed Thursday. HT Image Kluivert, the team's top scorer in the Premier League a season ago as the Cherries recorded their highest points total, has missed preseason games because of a calf injury. 'Justin hasn't been training with us, so he's out," Iraola said ahead of Friday's game at Anfield. The Netherlands forward netted 12 goals in league play and 13 overall last season. Christie, a 30-year-old Scotland midfielder, has been training with the team following a groin injury. 'But I think it's too early for him because he hasn't done any preseason,' Iraola said. Center back Bafodé Diakité joined Bournemouth this week from Lille, but Iraola said he hadn't decided if the Frenchman would face Liverpool. 'He is physically definitely ready, he has done a complete preseason with Lille. It's a matter now of getting all the concepts quickly,' he said. Bournemouth sold almost its entire first-choice backline — center backs Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi and left back Milos Kerkez, as well as goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga — to generate around $200 million. Kerkez moved to Liverpool. 'In the end, you are playing the champions in the first day of the season, away. It doesn't get more difficult for this,' Iraola said. The status of winger Dango Ouattara, who has been linked with a move to Brentford, was unclear. 'It's true that I don't know what's going to happen,' Iraola said. 'We are going day by day. I will ask the club if he can play tomorrow, and if he can travel." ___ AP soccer:


India.com
5 hours ago
- India.com
Ideally Not For Surgery For Now But...: Chris Woakes Gives Major Update On His Dislocated Shoulder Ahead Of Ashes Series
After a gruelling Test series against India which ended in 2-2 draw, England will shift their attention to the Ashes Down Under later this year and experienced pacer Chris Woakes has shared a major update on his shoulder injury. Woakes, who sustained a dislocated shoulder while fielding during the fifth Test against India earlier this month, believes he's recovering better than he anticipated. Speaking on the sidelines of The Hundred, the England quick made an appearance without an arm sling. "Certainly good news for me. That's the best way to look at it. Obviously out of the sling and feel like I can move it a lot better now which is good two weeks down the line," Woakes told Sky Sports. "I suppose once you get a little bit more movement into it, feels little bit more normal. But still a lot of work to do. Going to try and (stay) focused on the rehab and get it as strong as possible. Ideally not for surgery for now but we'll see how that goes and hopefully we can get it nice and strong again," he added. Read Also: Moeen Ali Hits Back At David Warner For His 'Surfboard' Remark On Joe Root Update On Chris Woakes' Recovery The update from Woakes comes after he shared with the BBC Sport earlier this month that he was still looking to opt between a surgery and a rehab to deal with the injury. The 36-year-old Woakes had picked up a nasty injury on the opening day of the series decider against India at The Oval, London. Despite being ruled out of action for the remainder of the Test, Woakes walked out to bat with his left arm in a sling on a tense final morning as England chased a series-clinching victory, but fell short by six runs. After the series against India, Ben Stokes-led England have another five-Test series assignment against arch-rivals Australia, starting November 21.


Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Soccer-Title dreams and redemption: Premier League teams gear up for new campaign
By Lori Ewing HT Image MANCHESTER, England, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Fresh off a dominant title-winning campaign, Liverpool kick off the new Premier League season on Friday as the team to beat, as the Reds have transitioned from Juergen Klopp's high-octane chaos to a more measured possession-based style under Arne Slot. Liverpool host Bournemouth in the season's curtain-raiser on what is sure to be an emotional night at Anfield after the July 3 death of forward Diogo Jota in a car crash. Liverpool, who locked up last year's title with four matches to spare, had a bold and ambitious summer, signing Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, who headline a revamped attack that promises to be among the most explosive in the league. They also added pace at fullback by acquiring Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez. Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk remain central pillars. The key question is can Liverpool's new-look defence hold firm to support a title repeat? Slot is cautiously optimistic. "The reason that it is so difficult is there are so many competitors who can also win the league here," he said on Thursday. "To win it once is already very, very special. That is unbelievable if you are able to do it (twice) in this league. This year it is probably going to be harder than before." Bournemouth finished ninth last season. Manchester City travel to Wolverhampton on Saturday as Pep Guardiola looks to restore his revamped team to their former glory after last term's third-place disappointment. Rodri, whose absence last season due to a serious knee injury contributed to City's poor campaign, is facing a race to get fit for their opening match after picking up an injury during the FIFA Club World Cup. The Ballon d'Or winner has returned to training, but Guardiola said he will not be "really, really fit" until after the September international break. City finished 13 points behind Liverpool last season. Wolves were 16th. Perennial contenders Arsenal, who have finished second three seasons running, travel to Old Trafford on Sunday to play Manchester United in a much-anticipated clash of two revamped teams. Desperate to break the second-place cycle, the Gunners added quality and depth in signing Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard to bolster the midfield, and Viktor Gyökeres to help solve their long-standing striker issue. Arsenal's defence remains elite — and will be put to the test against United's brand new front three of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo. After their dismal 15th-place finish last season under new boss Ruben Amorim, United have been in full rebuild mode, with expectations high but patience wearing thin. The Red Devils are aiming for a top-four finish and a return to European football. But United remain a wild card. The big question is can Amorim quickly galvanise his new-look squad into a competitive force, or will this be another frustrating season of transition? The three promoted clubs get a taste of England's top flight this weekend with Sunderland hosting West Ham United and Burnley travelling to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, and Leeds United hosting Everton on Monday. (Reporting by Lori Ewing in Manchester, England; editing by Pritha Sarkar)