On The Ball | Diogo Jota has made a splash, but expect Jurgen Klopp to go with his trusted trident at Man City

Diogo Jota is the name on everybody’s lips. The Portuguese has made a sensational start at Anfield since his move to Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers in September. The forward’s hat-trick against Atalanta on Tuesday capped a remarkable 11 days when the 23-year-old scored six times in four matches.

Yet Jurgen Klopp might take a more circumspect approach to selection against City. As brilliant as Jota has been, the manager trusts Firmino. Pep Guardiola’s side are still the likeliest team to stop Liverpool winning back-to-back titles. City sit in 12th in the Premier League, five points behind the champions but the table is deceptive. Guardiola’s men have a game in hand and the last thing Klopp wants is to suffer a defeat and hand the initiative to his rivals. Jota may have to be content with a place on the bench on Sunday.

Trust is one of the hallmarks of Klopp’s approach. He often chooses the less flashy option in favour of players he can rely upon. The German has been oblivious to the clamour for Naby Keita to be involved in the team on a more regular basis. Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum are much higher up the pecking order even though the Guinea midfielder appears to have a more attractive skill set. Klopp knows exactly what his first-choice players will bring to the side and work rate and balance frequently trump more showy contributions.

Firmino had been criticised because he does not score enough. The Brazilian often feels like the least important member of Liverpool’s attacking trident. The 29-year-old has scored just once this season while Salah has struck nine goals, Jota seven and Mane five. Firmino has other qualities. He knits the front three together, creates space for his teammates and works hardest when the opposition have the ball. Against City, this might be the most valuable aspect of his game.

Klopp is very astute in the way he uses his squad. Jota’s style of play was perfect versus Atalanta, a team that leaves plenty of space available. Liverpool have been successful against City when they have pressed Guardiola’s defenders and midfielders before they could get the ball up to the likes of Kevin De Bruyne. Firmino’s intelligence and familiarity with such tactics could give him the edge over Jota in these circumstances. It is a cliché to say that the Brazilian is Liverpool’s first line of defence but it is nonetheless true. He is very effective in harrying opponents and using space to nullify the opposition’s advantage.