Jota and Nunez: Who deserves to be Liverpool’s ‘number 9’?

At each of his previous clubs, manager Arne Slot has always had a ‘number 9’ who knows how to score at least 20 goals/season. At Liverpool now, he seems to have yet to decide between Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez as his ‘number 9’.

Diogo Jota just needs a chance to prove his importance to Liverpool.

The 28-year-old’s brief appearance in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Fulham was an immediate reminder that with such a sharp finisher in the squad, Liverpool always have a way out when all doors seem closed.

Jota’s clever turn and calm, composed finish with four minutes left is the kind of goal Liverpool have been missing in recent weeks.

Jota’s two-month absence has opened up opportunities for Darwin Nunez, but the Uruguayan has failed to capitalise on them, struggling to maintain the consistency Liverpool demand.

The way Jota fooled Fulham defender Jorge Cuenca and then sent Bernd Leno the wrong way with his tricky, precise strike showed the difference between him and Nunez. If the roles were reversed, it would be difficult to share the same confidence as Nunez when he finishes.

This raises the question of whether manager Arne Slot will make Jota his preferred No. 9, with Nunez retained as a substitute or starter in lower-pressure games, such as the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Southampton.

But if such questions were easy to answer, teams wouldn’t need to spend big money on excellent coaches. Every player has their strengths and weaknesses, their potential and their suitability to their playing style. The same is true for Jota and Nunez. How should the pair compare, and is it too simplistic to say that Jota is more useful to Slot simply because his goalscoring record is better than Nunez’s?

When looking at the shot maps of both, there are some clear differences.

Jota’s shooting locations are much more focused. While he often drops deeper or out wide to collect the ball, Jota still holds back the decision to shoot until he is in a position where he can comfortably choose — usually in the penalty area, around 11 meters or less from goal.