Liverpool continues their recent run of form without AFCON finalist duo Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah tonight against Leicester City and at the time of writing have gone into the dressing room 1-0 up at the interval at Anfield thanks for Portuguese international Diogo Jota.

Jota pounced on a loose ball in the six-yard-box to smash his close-range effort past Danish international keeper Kasper Schmeichel to give the Reds a deserved first-half lead in front of the home support and look good value to win their third match on the spin as they try to outpace Chelsea for second spot while hoping to close the gap to a rampant Manchester City who is twelve points clear at the top.

34′ – van Dijk’s powerful header from a corner is pushed away by Schmeichel, but Jota is there to put the ball home at close range. GET IN!

[1-0]#LIVLEI https://t.co/3kq3vzqeFt

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 10, 2022

But much of the talk must surround Jota once again as the former Wolves standout has continued to settle to life at Liverpool in his first full season on Merseyside when he scored the 100th league goal of his club career, now putting him on 11-goals in the Premier League this season and second in the goal charts behind none other than Mohamed Salah (16) and three goals ahead of Sadio Mané.

Could Jota & Díaz form the next dynamic duo at Liverpool?

Though new signing Luis Díaz played no direct part in Diogo Jota’s first-half strike tonight, the Colombian international has already impressed both his manager and clubmates after his January arrival from Portuguese giants Porto, and a former club mate has sung his praises while hinting that Jota could partner up with Díaz to form the next dynamic duo at Anfield.

Jota recently shed light on a conversation with AS Roma midfielder Sergio Oliveira – a former teammate of Díaz’s at Porto – who stated that his Liverpool career could be set to benefit massively from the addition of the 25-year-old.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 06: Luis Diaz of Liverpool applauds the supporters following the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Liverpool and Cardiff City at Anfield on February 06, 2022 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)

“I used to watch Porto a lot, I played there as well, so I know, for me, he was the best player in the Portuguese league. So I know his abilities and, for example, I had a chat with Sergio Oliveira, who is now in Rome, and he’s saying, ‘Now you’re going to score even more goals because Luis is an outstanding dribbler and he will get you those chances. He’s a great player and I think he will be good in the Premier League and good for us obviously.”

Though the jury is still out on what the future holds for both Salah and Mané, the fact that Liverpool has two bright attacking players who have yet to reach their prime playing years speaks positively in how the Reds have gone about their recruitment and ability to get on with business on the pitch when missing their two most influential attacking players in recent seasons.

If Diogo Jota’s goal return this season is any reflection of things to come, should Luis Díaz also settle quickly at Liverpool, the club will continue to remain in good hands.