Diogo Jota has just shown the reality of the Champions League as Jurgen Klopp faces a transfer dilemma at Liverpool

Diogo Jota has just shown the reality of the Champions League as Jurgen Klopp faces a transfer dilemma at Liverpool

The good, the bad and the ugly: Liverpool missed out on the Champions League before the final day, but Diogo Jota scored twice against Southampton to end the season.

ST MARY’S STADIUM, SOUTHAMPTON // As soon as it became clear that the Champions League extended beyond Liverpool this season, the final game became an opportunity to give Roberto Firmino and James Milner a well-deserved start .

It was in view of the welcome everyone received, but the result on the pitch was the one that summed up the season. Good in front but weak in defence, Liverpool drew 4-4 in a frenetic game.

Diogo Jota netted twice and Firmino netted one, making it a typical finish after a few dummies went a yard inside the box, but the three points weren’t available against already relegated Southampton. Here are the three moments chosen by Liverpool.com from the Reds’ goalscoring duel that marked the end of another Premier League season.

Good

Diogo Jota scored twice and although the first goal – an open goal from a Romeo Lavia shot on goal – could have been scored by anyone, it was the Portuguese striker who was in the right place at the right time.

Luis Díaz has missed much of this season but the loss of Jota and the Colombian has made – and at the same time – a huge difference for Liverpool.

How different could it have been had Klopp had a major goal threat? Jota’s knack for scoring openers is a huge asset, although he could have overcome some of the defensive issues that Liverpool have struggled with at times. He wasn’t in great shape before his injury, he even went a year without a goal, but that drought would have ended sooner if he hadn’t missed so much football.

Even a single goal could have made the race for the top four a little more interesting and at least extend it until the final day, which would have increased the pressure on Manchester United and Newcastle.

Jota has scored seven goals and eight assists this season but has only made 28 appearances. He missed 22 games due to injury.

Ultimately, it’s just one of the many little things that have kept Liverpool out of the Champions League this season. The Reds got what they deserved in terms of final placement, but the only thing that could really have gone wrong was if they could have slipped into fourth place and got away with it.

Despite the unfortunate absence of Jota, Díaz and others, Klopp’s men should have had enough, but in the end they couldn’t.

The bad

Liverpool need to clean up their midfield this summer, but that’s not news. Again, Fabinho looked shaky again and the Reds no longer had the same control they were used to.

It’s likely that the addition of some quality midfielders alongside Fabinho could see the Brazilian return to a more defensive role, especially with Trent Alexander-Arnold backing reversed. But then there are games like this where he looks naked again and that logic can be questioned. It means Liverpool have a decision to make this summer, although Stefan Bajčetić is also there and can help.

The dilemma is whether a player is needed for the job or whether Fabinho has enough time to pass until Bajčetić is ready for a starring role.

Whatever the decision, it will be crucial

The bad

Liverpool need to clean up their midfield this summer, but that’s not news. Again, Fabinho looked shaky and the Reds didn’t have the same level of control they were used to. It’s likely that the addition of some quality midfielders alongside Fabinho could see the Brazilian return to a more defensive role, especially with Trent Alexander-Arnold backing reversed.

But then there are games like this where he looks naked again and that logic can be questioned. It means Liverpool have a decision to make this summer, although Stefan Bajčetić is also there and can help.

The dilemma is whether a player is needed for the job or whether Fabinho has enough time to pass until Bajčetić is ready for a starring role.

Whatever the decision, it will be decisive for the outcome of next season.

the ugly one

Liverpool’s defensive play was often appallingly bad. Joe Gomez started below par and got progressively worse, while Joël Matip wasn’t exactly on fire next to him.

For them, Fabinho provided little cover and while Liverpool had nothing to play for, these are recurring issues that have placed themselves behind the Reds of late, but there have been many in the period that cost them a place. in the top four.

The ease with which Southampton came forward and created easy chances was alarming and Klopp rightly didn’t look happy on the sideline. Kamaldeen Sulemana was created to look like Lionel Messi.

Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk were absent today and the goalkeeper would have saved at least a goal or two against Caoimhín Kelleher, but the problem of being sidelined is nothing new. Liverpool will sign at least a few midfielders this summer and that will help, but a new defender is a must and Klopp is looking to get the squad he needs to get back in the game.