Liverpool make huge decision on future of struggling forward

Liverpool crashed out of the Champions League following a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid on Wednesday evening. 

The Reds travelled to the Spanish capital needing to overturn a three-goal deficit to have any chance of progressing into the quarter-finals of the competition, but the reigning European champions proved too good.

Jurgen Klopp’s side will now focus on securing a place in the top four of the Premier League in order to appear in next season’s Champions League, although they now have a two-week break before they face Manchester City at The Etihad at the start of April.

This summer could see plenty of incomings and outgoing at Anfield, with the likes of Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner all expected to depart when their respective contracts expire at the end of the season.

One player that has also been linked with an exit is Diogo Jota, but it appears that the forward may instead stay put on Merseyside.

As per Football Insider, Jota is part of Liverpool’s plans for next season and is likely to remain with the club beyond this summer.

Jota has failed to score a single goal this season

The Portugal international has struggled with injuries this season, missing more than 20 matches already.

He has also struggled since returning to fitness, failing to score a single goal in any of his 16 appearances across all competitions this season.

Liverpool boast a competitive crop of attackers at present and that had prompted rumours that Jota could be sold this summer, but the report claims that he is instead set to be a key part of the club’s plans next term.

Jota, 26, joined Liverpool from Wolves back in 2020 and has since made more than 100 appearances for the club, scoring 34 goals and providing 15 assists.

In the past two years Liverpool have signed Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz, though, which has undoubtedly threatened to decrease Jota’s playing time.

The player’s current contract is due to run until 2027, and the report claims that any offers for the Portuguese this summer would be outright refused by Liverpool.