Diogo Jota feels ‘hard work’ is the reason behind Liverpool’s unbeaten record

Diogo Jota feels “hard work” is the reason behind Liverpool’s unbeaten record, as he wants them to keep that form going to become successful at the end of the season. A 2-0 victory over Atletico Madrid on Wednesday meant the current crop of Reds equalled the 25-game undefeated streak set by Bob Paisley’s legendary class of 1982 since becoming a Football League team. Should Liverpool avoid a loss against West Ham United on Sunday, they will set a new benchmark in the Anfield record books. Asked what has been the key factors behind the recent run, Jota told Liverpoolfc.com, “Hard work, I would say.” 

“I think especially this season we are playing really well, scoring a lot of goals and that obviously helps us. In some games we’ve unfortunately conceded some goals as well and that’s meant we haven’t won those games, but in the end I think [the run] shows us we are doing the right things and so we just want to keep on doing them because that’s what can bring us success.”

When asked how does he keep going from game to game with the same mentality, the Portuguese attacker said, “Well, obviously we need to thank our opponents because they’re doing pretty much the same things. They are winning games, so it forces us to win games and keep on going. In the league we are not top; even though we are having a good season in my opinion, we are not top of the league so that shows us there are other teams doing the right things and that we need to keep on pushing.”

I think pre-season helped a lot: Jota

It’s an astonishing 47 goals in 16 games for the Reds this season till now. Speaking about their incredible goalscoring form, Jota said, “It’s the first time I’ve been involved in something like that. Even last season, we didn’t have those kind of stats. I think we are playing outstanding up front. But as I said, in some games we’ve had clean sheets and in some games we’ve conceded, so we need to improve on that as a team to make sure we win the games.”

“I think pre-season helped a lot. We are an intense team on the pitch and we need to be at our top level in terms of physicality, especially to be able to produce. I think this season that is happening.”

Jota, who already has five for the season so far, said, “I think it is helpful for the team to have many players on the scoresheet all the time, especially the ones up front because they get more chances. I just hope we can continue, or even improve, on that stat.”

“It’s like corners, counter-attacks, possession… I think that’s really important because in some games we will not have counter-attacks or in some games we will not be able to score after 30 passes. It’s important we keep finding [different] ways to score goals.”

West Ham are next for Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday. Speaking about that clash, Jota said, “Yes. I watch them play sometimes and I like the way they play. I think they play good, offensive football. Even in the Europa League, they are doing great and top of their group, so it’s not going to be easy for us. We’re finishing a cycle [of games] because it’s the international break again, so it’ll be important for us to go there and grab the three points.”