Arne Slot shares Jurgen Klopp’s views on the Liverpool star following their comeback against Fulham.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has lauded Diogo Jota for his “intelligence” after the forward’s crucial goal salvaged a draw against Fulham on Saturday.

The Reds found themselves trailing early at Anfield after Andreas Pereira’s strike, and their troubles deepened when Andrew Robertson was sent off in the 17th minute. Although Cody Gakpo equalized, Rodrigo Muniz restored Fulham’s lead, leaving Liverpool facing the prospect of a home defeat.

Jota, returning from a two-month absence due to a rib injury, came on in the 79th minute and made an instant impact. Seven minutes later, he found the net, securing a vital point for Liverpool. Slot praised the Portuguese forward’s sharpness and game intelligence, echoing sentiments previously expressed by Jurgen Klopp.

“We had Jota back… I couldn’t have asked for more,” Slot told BBC Match of the Day. “Jota is so intelligent with his positioning and his decisions on the ball. It was a great team goal. It’s wonderful to have him back after two months out.”

Slot also commended his team’s resilience despite playing with 10 men for most of the match. “What stood out for me was how impressive our performance was with 10 men. The players ran for 11 and pressed brilliantly. We faced more issues when it was 11 v 11 than when we were a man down.”

Reflecting on Klopp’s earlier remarks about Jota, Slot reinforced the view that the £45 million signing is a “very smart footballer” with exceptional vision and finishing ability. Klopp had previously praised Jota’s ability to read the game and adapt quickly, calling him a “brilliant footballer” with a bright future.

Slot will now hope Jota remains fit for Liverpool’s demanding festive schedule, which includes matches against Southampton, Tottenham, Leicester, and West Ham.