Diogo Jota has broken Liverpool’s club record after an incredible performance vs. Forest – Liverpool FC

On By Littum

Diogo Jota rescued Liverpool after making an immediate impact against Nottingham Forest, breaking a club record in the process.

Up until Tuesday’s game, the Portuguese had scored four goals in as many games against Forest, but he had to settle for a place on the bench.

With Liverpool laboring midway through the second half, Jota was brought on to save the day and he delivered emphatically.

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - Tuesday 14 January 2025: Liverpool's Luis Díaz sees his shot saved by Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels during the FA Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and Liverpool FC at the City Ground. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - Tuesday 14 January 2025: Liverpool's Luis Díaz sees his shot saved by Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels during the FA Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and Liverpool FC at the City Ground. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Just 22 seconds after being introduced, the 28-year-old headed home Kostas Tsimikas’ corner to earn Liverpool a point.

Jota was also twice denied by Matz Sels soon after, making the biggest impact of any player and winning This is Anfield‘s Man of the Match award.

In fact, the no. The 20’s header was the fastest goal by a Liverpool substitute since the Premier League record began in 2006/07, beating Daniel Sturridge’s 24 seconds against West Ham in August 2018 per statistician Ged Rea (@ged0407)

Jota (12) has now jumped into joint fifth place in the Reds’ top scorers from the bench, and has just joined Ryan Babel and Divock Origi.

Only Sturridge (13), Mohamed Salah (14), Roberto Firmino (16) and David Fairclough (18) are ahead of him.

The fastest Premier League goal by a substitute came from Newcastle’s Sammy Ameobi, who took just eight seconds to score from the bench against Tottenham in 2014/15.

Time for more starts for Jota?

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - Tuesday 14 January 2025: Liverpool's Luis Díaz scores his side's first equalizer during the FA Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and Liverpool FC at the City Ground. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - Tuesday 14 January 2025: Liverpool's Luis Díaz scores his side's first equalizer during the FA Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and Liverpool FC at the City Ground. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Jota can be a brilliant substitute, but now he is fully fit and on fire, and he will lead the line for Liverpool in the second half of the season.

Admittedly, he is a player to be managed carefully given his injury record over the years, but he is arguably the Reds’ most ruthless finisher.

Luis Diaz has had a good season, shining as a false nine at times, but it’s an experiment that starts to look misguided against low blocks.

2YX8FA7 Liverpool's Diogo Jota, left, celebrates with Liverpool's Darwin Nunez after scoring his team's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Fulham at Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/ Jon great)2YX8FA7 Liverpool's Diogo Jota, left, celebrates with Liverpool's Darwin Nunez after scoring his team's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Fulham at Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/ Jon great)

In Jota, Liverpool have a fighter who delivers in big moments and he can be a massive player between now and the end of the season.

Arne Slot will surely consider throwing him into the starting XI at Brentford on Saturday afternoon in what has the potential to be another close away game.

That’s not to be too hard on Diaz, who has been impressive throughout, but it feels like the right time to make a change in offense.