Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson has predicted that Diogo Jota will come on as a substitute in the Champions League final later this month.
The Reds will face Real Madrid in the showpiece showdown in Paris after the two booked their places in the final this week. Jurgen Klopp’s side beat Villarreal, while Real edged past Manchester City in a classic Champions League tie.
Luis Diaz was Liverpool’s hero at the Estadio de la Ceramica after he came on as a half-time substitute. The forward’s side were 2-0 down on the night, with the tie level at 2-2 on aggregate.
READ MORE: Mohamed Salah sends blunt six word message to Real Madrid as Liverpool final set
READ MORE: Liverpool could repeat transfer trick with move for perfect Jude Bellingham alternative
READ MORE: Liverpool silverware secured as Burnley beaten in final by wonder goal
However, the introduction of the Colombian sparked Liverpool into life. First, Fabinho pulled a goal back for his side before Diaz and Sadio Mane struck. And when reflecting on the options available to Klopp when his side meet Real in Paris, Lawrenson believes more changes will be made from the team that started against Unai Emery’s men.
“He keeps changing it doesn’t he? I don’t think he has to worry about stuff like that, but it just wasn’t a day for Jota and that was obvious to everybody,” he told Off The Ball.
“He came on and did outstanding. Diaz gives this width and this pace and all of a sudden he’s stretched the game out, so it wasn’t an inspired change, it was just a very good tactical change.
“If you’re thinking about the final now and everybody is fit, he will play Mane through the middle, Salah on the right and Diaz on the left, Jota will obviously come on and he can get you a goal, he ghosts into great positions unlike any of the other four forwards as well.”
