Carragher compared Jota to Michael Owen, Luis Suarez and Fernando Torres in terms of finishing ability - high praise indeed from the former Liverpool defender.

With Mo Salah having been away at the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt, many Liverpool fans may have feared this season’s attacking force would be dented.

But judging by Jota’s latest performance, which included two goals and an assist to put Liverpool back on top of the Premier League by five points, they don't need to worry.

The Portuguese striker could play a critical role in maintaining Liverpool’s title charge in Salah’s absence - and then alongside him when the Egyptian returns.

Jota signed for Liverpool for £41million from Wolves in September 2020. Largely utilised off the bench since then, the 27-year-old has made 135 appearances in all competitions, scoring an impressive 52 goals and 21 assists.

Now Jota should look at these next few weeks as a chance to push on and make a starting spot in the forward roles his own.

Salah, meanwhile, is on his way back to Liverpool for treatment on a muscle strain he sustained against Ghana. The severity of Salah’s injury is unclear, but it will keep him out for at least two AFCON games - and potentially longer.

Here, Vodacom Soccer assesses why Jota is the ideal man to step up in Salah’s absence, and beyond.

Liverpool’s best finisher?

One of Jota’s most impressive stats this season is his goalscoring record compared to expected goals, racking up seven goals in the Premier League from an xG of just 3.3. This shows how clinical Jota is when he gets a chance in front of goal.

In comparison, Salah has scored 14 goals from an xG of 14.3, and Darwin Nunez has scored seven from an xG of 9.45.

In short, Jota has been by far the most clinical of the three in the Premier League.

Earlier this season, his manager Jurgen Klopp said of Jota: “He has the speed and the desire to finish situations off really good. I think his goalscoring record is pretty impressive.”

His football brain

Jota is having a fantastic season, managing a goal or assist every 84 minutes in the Premier League. Despite not starting him more often, Klopp clearly has huge faith in him – and in particular, his football brain.

“He is a very smart footballer...he understands the game particularly well,” said Klopp when Jota came back from a muscle injury at the end of December.

"I really think Portugal is blessed with these kind of players who really understand the game on a different level - and he is one of them, definitely.”

This just shows the belief Klopp has in Jota, so the goal of getting more starts in this Liverpool team looks very attainable. And unlike Salah, he’s two-footed too!

Defensive capabilities

A key part of Liverpool's key success over the last few years has been their excellent press and rapid regaining of the ball. Jota is one of the best and hardest-working in their forward line, averaging 1.1 tackles per game in the Premier League this season and making a total of 140 aerial challenges.

In comparison, Salah only averages 0.46 successful tackles per game and has made 78 successful aerial challenges this season.

This shows the benefits to Liverpool of having Jota "defending from the front”.

Diogo the dribbler

Jota’s average successful dribble per game in the Premier League is also high at 1.4 per game - bettered only by Cody Gakpo (1.8) and Luis Diaz (1.9) among the Liverpool squad.

In comparison, Salah averages 0.9 successful dribbles per match, on the lower side of the Reds forwards.

Jota’s ability to keep hold of the ball while moving Liverpool up the pitch is another key facet of his play - and has led to a high rate of assists as he draws defenders to him before delivering a killer pass.

This is incredibly important in any Klopp team, which always rely on fast transitions and quick counter-attacks.

Jota’s extra motivation

A bonus for Liverpool is the added motivation Jota may have to perform as the European Championships are on the horizon.

Jota has only started two of Portugal’s last six games, but has still managed two goals and two assists.

He could yet turn out to be one of the stars of this summer’s tournament for Portugal – assuming he gets proper game time with Liverpool first.

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