NewsDiogo Jota, the 'small guy' who surpassed his Premier League dream

The Portuguese’s objective back then was simply to play in England’s top flight, a target he accomplished with Wolverhampton Wanderers before his move to Liverpool in September 2020.

Jota has now soared past that initial aim to have a league winner’s medal in his collection, appearing 26 times as the Reds clinched the title by 10 points last term.

Though hindered by injury during the campaign, the No.20 delivered a series of vital contributions along the way for Arne Slot’s team and is ‘cherishing’ the collective achievement.

“It was a very tough season for me, where I got a proper injury halfway through it, where I was playing well. It didn’t help at all,” Jota, who has since added UEFA Nations League success with his country, told Liverpoolfc.com.

“So, to arrive at this particular season with the title that I’ve been chasing for a lot of years and in the best league in the world – for me where I dreamed to play as a kid – it’s a moment I will cherish forever.

“It is a remarkable achievement for a small guy that came from Gondomar, where I had this dream. To arrive at this moment was outstanding.”

He continued: “It’s massive. It’s something I could not even dream when I was a kid. I wanted to play in the Premier League but I didn’t even imagine to win it, I just wanted to be there playing. I knew it was the best league in the world.

“I achieved the moment, I fulfilled my dream when I played for Wolverhampton, because I was there. But then when you achieve a dream you unlock another phase, another level, another step and when I came to Liverpool I knew that was possible. I did it in the end.

“I think from the moment I arrived I always played a big part in the teams throughout the years with [Jürgen] Klopp and now with Arne, and finally we did it.

“It’s a moment I will cherish forever, like I said, because it’s a remarkable achievement.”