---
title: "Kevin Phillips backs ‘magnificent’ Diogo Jota for starting role"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/kevin-phillips-backs-magnificent-diogo-jota-for-starting-role/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2021-04-02T09:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-04-02T09:00:00Z"
---

# Kevin Phillips backs ‘magnificent’ Diogo Jota for starting role

Former [Premier League top goalscorer](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/kevin-phillips-sunderland-golden-boot-18049388) Kevin Phillips has backed Diogo Jota to start for [Liverpool](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/04/02/on-this-day-dirk-kuyt-gives-liverpool-a-champions-league-lifeline/)against Arsenal on Saturday night ahead of the fit-again [Roberto Firmino](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/03/04/liverpool-boosted-as-brazilian-trio-may-not-play-march-internationals/).

Jota has picked up where he left off following a [three-month layoff with a knee injury](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9218829/Liverpool-forward-Diogo-Jota-steps-recovery-knee-injury-nears-return.html), scoring the only goal in the Reds’ last game before the international break.

Meanwhile, Firmino [missed the last three Liverpool fixtures](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/428452-roberto-firmino-fitness-injury-latest-update)with his own knee issue but has since returned to training.

However, Phillips told [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/phillips-magnificent-jota-will-start-for-liverpool-against-arsenal-and-this-star-forward-left-out/), he believes it will be the Portugal star who gets the nod.

> Jota has to start against Arsenal, he has made such a huge impression since he came in. It’s not been the best season from Firmino, let’s be honest. I think he has struggled at times and Jota has been a breath of fresh air. Yes, Jota had his injury but he has come back and gone straight back to those levels he was at before.

The 47-year-old went on to label Jota a ‘magnificent player’ and suggest overtime the Portuguese forward would permanently displace Firmino in [Jurgen Klopp’s side](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/team/first-team).

### READ LIVERPOOL VERDICT

With a crucial UEFA Champions League clash [against Real Madrid on the horizon](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/match/2020-21/first-team/fixtures-and-results), Klopp has multiple selection headaches this weekend.

No doubt Firmino has been [short of form](https://www.sofascore.com/player/roberto-firmino/143697) this season, although his record against Arsenal is fantastic – scoring[eight times in 12 matches](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/roberto-firmino/bilanz/spieler/131789) – a stat that may convince the German he is deserving of a starting berth.