Diogo Jota says Jurgen Klopp is continuing to reach out to Liverpool players following the appointment of Arne Slot

Jurgen Klopp still seems to be on top of everything going on in the lives of Liverpool’s players, as a recent message to Diogo Jota shows.

Portugal forward Jota thought he had won the match for his country in their Euro 2024 clash with the Czech Republic on Tuesday, but his close-range header was ultimately ruled out by VAR for offside against Cristiano Ronaldo.

Before the goal was scored, Jota took the ball from behind the net and put it down his shirt – a celebration often seen by players celebrating new arrivals in the family.

Klopp was clearly watching and was so quick to text his former striker to congratulate him and partner Rute Cardoso, who later announced they were expecting their third child and first girl in November this year.

“By chance, he sent a message after the first game,” Jota told reporters at a press conference in Portugal, via O Jogo. “He is a coach who does not miss anything, he knows the moments when he should talk to the players.

“It was a word of support for my goal to be banned and to have a special meaning for me. But then we got the three points, that was the most important thing.”

Indeed, Jota’s disallowed goal did little to hurt Portugal in the end as they won the game 2-1 thanks to a stoppage-time strike from fellow substitute Francisco Conceicao. Portugal face Turkey in Dortmund on Saturday in the second match of the group stage.

Much of the pre-match talk has focused on Cristiano Ronaldo, with manager Roberto Martinez launching a fierce defense of his 39-year-old captain on Friday.

“There is no other player in the history of football who has played six euros,” Martinez said.

“It’s important to understand what a player brings. Cristiano brings experience, brings… Goalscoring opportunities and a way to open up spaces.

“Cristiano is in the national team because he deserves to be here. Just look at what he has done and what he has done in the last competitions.”

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