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PREMIER LEAGUE

Diogo Jota delighted by Reds' reaction to first Liverpool goal

Diogo Jota capped his Liverpool debut with a fine, volleyed finish in Monday's 3-1 win over Arsenal .

Update:
Diogo Jota delighted by Reds' reaction to first Liverpool goal
Getty Images

Diogo Jota was thrilled by the reaction of his Liverpool team mates after scoring on his Premier League debut in Monday night's 3-1 win over Arsenal. Jota, who joined from Wolves for a reported £41million earlier this month, came off the bench to put Monday's game to bed at Anfield. It put the seal on a convincing comeback victory for Jürgen Klopp's side, who hit back emphatically after falling behind to Alexandre Lacazette's opener, with Sadio Mané and Andy Robertson also on target.

Jota off the mark with a volley, in off the post

Jota couldn't have wished for a much better way to open his Liverpool account. He controlled the ball with his knee on the edge of the penalty area then sent a sweet strike which entered in off the post. It laid to rest any fears that Arsenal might spoil the champions' 100 per cent start to the season and saw him mobbed by his new colleagues.

"It means a lot," Jota told the club's official website. "When you arrive at a team that are world champions, you always try to adapt as quickly as possible. The way they received me is exceptional. I just thank them for the way they have received me. I think we can build up from here and do great things in the future. Obviously I could have done better, I had a couple of chances before. But I'm happy with this – getting my first goal in my first game [at Anfield]. And I helped the team seal the result, that is the most important thing, that we got the three points."

Liverpool were once again impressive, but they did not have it all their own way against the Gunners, who saw Lacazette miss an excellent opportunity to make it 2-2. Jota was introduced for fellow goal scorer Mané with 10 minutes remaining and revealed the words of wisdom he received from Klopp just before he came on.

Be happy when you get the ball

"Arsenal are playing really well with good momentum," the 23-year-old said. "So, he just told me to keep the pressing that we were doing very well in the match. And with the ball, just be happy, play my best – and that's what I tried to do. I think in the end he was pleased with that. When we are on the bench, we are watching the game closely, with attention. We know we could come on at any moment and we could have a chance to decide the game in the few moments that we are on. That's what I try to do – always be focused. And when I'm on the pitch I'm always ready to do my best."

Arsenal back at Anfield for the second time in a week

Liverpool play host to Arsenal again, likely with changed sides, on Thursday, as they scrap it out for a place in the EFL Carabao Cup quarter finals.