It seems a curious thing to say about someone with a Liverpool record of almost a goal every other game and a happy knack of notching important strikes.
But there has been a danger of Diogo Jota becoming something of a forgotten man for the Reds this summer.
Out of sight, out of mind. Having, along with the majority of Liverpool's international players, joined up with the squad for the Far East tour last month, Jota was soon on the sidelines having aggravated a hamstring injury suffered a few weeks earlier while playing for Portugal.
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As the 25-year-old continued his rehabilitation, the focus instead switched to the first steps of new forward Darwin Nunez as replacement to Sadio Mane and the re-emergence of Roberto Firmino following an injury-hampered previous campaign.
But the news Jota has signed a new, improved five-year contract was a welcome reminder of the value of the versatile forward.
The Portuguese remains a few weeks away from a return to action and, having sat out almost the entire pre-season programme, will be playing catch-up similar to when he moved to Anfield after the campaign had started almost two years ago. Jota had few issues adapting - scoring on his Premier League debut for the Reds against Arsenal - and is likely to hit the ground running once again when back.
He has form for it. Jota scored Liverpool's season opener last term in the 3-0 win at Norwich City, underlining his penchant for notching the first goal in games - a feat he managed 14 times last campaign. However, he failed to net in his final 13 appearances of the season after netting in the 2-2 draw at Manchester City.
In truth, 2022 has been a curious year for Jota. With Mane and Mohamed Salah on Africa Cup of Nations duty back in January, the Portuguese took on the responsibility as the senior forward with his memorable brace at Arsenal firing Liverpool into the Carabao Cup final. But an ankle injury shortly before the Wembley showpiece - his only enforced absence last season - restricted him to just 40 minutes from the bench against Chelsea, although he did net in the penalty shoot-out triumph.
By then, January signing Luis Diaz had been impressing on the left wing role where Jota had initially shone during his debut Anfield season. And the outstanding post-AFCON form of Mane saw the Portugal international bumped out of the forward line altogether, failing to start in the closing stages of the Champions League or FA Cup, although Salah's early injury in the final of the latter meant Jota played most of the showpiece and again scored as Liverpool prevailed on spot kicks.
Indeed, the relentless nature of the fixture list meant Jota started seven of the last nine Premier League games and featured for some part in every game during the last three months of the campaign. Liverpool will be in the same position again this season, playing 23 games before the season pauses for the World Cup in November, in which Jota will hope to make an impact with Portugal. After the restart, the schedule only intensifies.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has already indicated the potential club record outlay on centre forward Nunez will prompt a subtle shift in attacking approach. And with the Uruguayan also capable of playing on the left, there is particularly strong cover in both of Jota's preferred positions. One of his tasks, then, may ultimately be to help ease the burden on Salah on the right flank, albeit not a role in which he has previously produced his best.
In truth, though, Jota's versatility will mean he gets the minutes in which to continue his progress at Anfield. And with five substitutions now the norm in all competitions, Klopp will be able to mix and match his forward options like never before. What could have been a headache for the Reds boss has instead become a strength.
"What Diogo has brought to this team and this club since he arrived is there for all to see, so it is really good news that he has signed a new contract," said Klopp to liverpoolfc.com.
“Brilliant, brilliant news, I would say. His qualities are obvious. He scores goals – not a bad quality – he works unbelievably hard for the team, his pressing and counter-pressing are on an unbelievable level, he can play in all of our attacking roles and he has an incredible attitude. Not a bad package. Not bad at all.
“As a striker who can play on the wing, he gives us so many options and since he came to Liverpool he has improved so much. I have said before that Diogo is the player we hoped he would be but also a little bit better, so long may this continue.”
And wherever he plays over the coming season, rest assured Jota will make an impact. The Portuguese is impossible to forget.
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