Diogo Jota on Final Weeks of Season: “It’s More About Mental Strength Now”
Liverpool will win their 20th domestic title at some point over the final six weeks of the 2024-25 Premier League season.
With a 13-point lead in the Premier League and just six more rounds to play in the 2024-25 season, Liverpool know that any combination of six points gained by them or dropped by top chasers Arsenal will be enough to lock down their 20th domestic title.
Two wins in six is six more points. Or one win and one Arsenal loss is six points. Two draws in the next six games for the Reds along with two draws in the next six games for Arsenal also adds up to six. If there was ever any doubt in the title race, it’s long gone now.
Perhaps the biggest problem for Liverpool from here out is going to be that when the games start to matter less, it can be harder to maintain performance levels, and even a slight drop in focus and application can lead to unexpectedly difficult results.
“Obviously we are arriving at the stage of the season where it’s much more important to get those three points than to play well,” reflected first choice striker Diogo Jota. “I think we played well the majority of the season but it’s more about mental strength now.
“It’s been a tough season for everyone, mentally and physically, but I think the mental part now plays a bigger role. We now have a full week before every game and I think we will be fresh for every game to do our best, like each game is a final now for us.”
That, perhaps, is the through-line to Liverpool maintaining focus: a chance to celebrate a Premier League title and to put a bow on the season. Meanwhile, many of their opponents will also perhaps feel that they have less to play for in the final weeks.
First up this weekend, Liverpool face off against Leicester City. The Foxes today find themselves one point—either one point dropped by them or gained by both Wolves and West Ham in 16th and 17th place—away from being mathematically relegated.
After Leicester, it’s Tottenham at Anfield. Tottenham are floundering in 15th and can’t realistically finish top half or be relegated. By the time Chelsea and Arsenal are up in games three and four of the remaining six, there’s a good chance it’s all decided.
“I think from the first moment, credit to the gaffer for making us believe in his ideas,” Jota added of Liverpool’s first season under new manager Arne Slot. “Obviously the results started coming away and that gave everybody in the building a lot of confidence.
“I’m sure if you ask him he also learned a lot this season. But if you get over the line with the [title], imagine how bright the future will be? It’s an amazing start and I think it exceeded expectations, but until the job is done these conversations don’t really matter.”
Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com
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