Due to FA Cup commitments and winter breaks, Liverpool were restricted to just three top-flight contests last month, but Klopp’s men achieved a perfect tally of nine points from nine to maintain their position at the top of the standings.
January’s schedule saw Liverpool rack up a sensational 12 goals across their trio of fixtures, making the net bulge four times against Newcastle United, Bournemouth and Chelsea, as well as shipping just three goals along the way.
Each of those matches saw Jota directly contribute to a goal, and the winger has now been recognised for his feats with a first-ever Premier League Player of the Month prize, having amassed a total of three goals and two assists last month.
The beating of Newcastle on New Year’s Day saw Jota provide the assist for a Curtis Jones effort before controversially winning a penalty in the dying embers, which Mohamed Salah converted.
The former Wolverhampton Wanderers man has subsequently benefitted from Salah’s absence through injury and Africa Cup of Nations duty, netting two goals and setting up one of Darwin Nunez’s efforts in the 4-0 crushing of Bournemouth on January 21.
Ten days later, the 27-year-old was on target again during Liverpool’s 4-1 pummelling of Chelsea, charging at the Blues backline and getting a lucky break of the ball before slotting home the game’s first goal.
Jota fended off competition from teammate Conor Bradley to take January’s prize, while Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne, Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes, Luton Town’s Elijah Adebayo and Tottenham Hotspur’s Richarlison were also shortlisted.
Becoming a Player of the Month winner for the first time in his Premier League career, Jota is already the second Liverpool man to be bestowed with the accolade in the 2023-24 season after Salah won October’s prize.
The attacker is also the first Portuguese player since Cristiano Ronaldo in April 2022 to win the award, and only the second from his nation not representing Manchester United after Deco for Chelsea in August 2008.
Meanwhile, Klopp has now hit double figures for Premier League Manager of the Month prizes, clinching his 10th individual award thanks to Liverpool’s near-faultless January run.
The German – who revealed last month that he would be leaving his Anfield post at the end of the season – takes home the trophy for the first time since May 2021, having missed out entirely during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 campaigns.
Klopp is now level with David Moyes on 10 Manager of the Month prizes, while only Sir Alex Ferguson (27), Arsene Wenger (15) and Pep Guardiola (11) have won the accolade on more occasions.
Guardiola was one of four nominees for the first managerial honour of 2024 alongside Klopp – a list which also included Luton’s Rob Edwards and Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta.
Liverpool can temporarily restore their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League standings when they travel to Brentford for Saturday’s lunchtime kickoff, and Klopp had a positive update to share on the fitness of Salah ahead of the trip south.
