Liverpool has reunited with forward Diogo Jota as he joins the team for their pre-season camp in Pittsburgh. Jota’s return comes with a notable fitness admission, which may temper immediate expectations for his role in the upcoming fixtures.

Fitness Admission from Jota

Upon arriving in Pittsburgh for Liverpool’s friendly against Real Betis, Jota made a candid admission about his fitness levels. Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com, he acknowledged that he is currently behind his teammates in terms of fitness, due to his recent break and the demands of pre-season training.

“It’s great to be back with the team, I just landed in Pittsburgh,” Jota said. “Now I’ll get some rest and get ready to start working tomorrow. I’ll try to catch up [fitness-wise] with the team, do my physical work first to be ready to start doing my tactical work to get ready for the new season.”

Jota’s Role and Recovery

Jota’s return is especially timely, as Liverpool’s new head coach Arne Slot will be keen to integrate him into his plans. Despite a relatively quiet role for Portugal at Euro 2024, partly due to the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo, Jota remains Liverpool’s most clinical finisher. His fitness and form will be crucial for Liverpool’s attacking prowess this season.

Given his injury history and the intense nature of Slot’s pre-season regime, Jota is expected to focus initially on physical conditioning before fully participating in tactical drills and match preparations.

Pre-Season Expectations

Jota’s fitness levels are likely to affect his involvement in the early stages of Liverpool’s pre-season tour. While he will begin with individual fitness work, it is anticipated that he may only feature towards the latter part of the US tour. As such, fans should manage their expectations regarding his participation in the upcoming friendly against Real Betis.

Liverpool’s pre-season campaign continues to unfold, and Jota’s integration will be closely monitored as he ramps up his fitness and readiness for the new season.