Diogo Jota details key Arne Slot demand as Liverpool look to dominate on all fronts

Liverpool's Diogo Jota has acknowledged the importance of squad rotation in maintaining player fitness and enhancing their chances of success.

The Portuguese international was in the starting line-up for Liverpool's first five games of the season, but took a breather during Saturday's triumph over Bournemouth. He then returned to the squad to net the opening two goals in their 5-1 Carabao Cup victory against West Ham.

Currently, Jota is Arne Slot's preferred choice for the centre-forward position, but he played as a number 10 against the Hammers to give Darwin Nunez, his weekend replacement, his second start of the season.

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With the summer acquisition of Federico Chiesa from Juventus, Slot now has two players for each position on the front line. Five out of these six have already scored, with only Italian international Chiesa who made his debut start on Wednesday yet to find the back of the net.

Rotation wasn't a common practice for the Dutch coach at his previous club Feyenoord, but with Liverpool expected to compete on four fronts, he recognises the need to adapt.

"We know the staff work on managing the players and (their) load as we know a lot of things are coming and we want to be in the best place possible," Jota shared with LFCTV.

"Some players didn't play much yet so we know these games can be tricky but we showed we are all prepared.

"Physicality-wise we need to get those minutes and we are ready for a big season with hopefully a lot of games.

"We wanted to progress in the cup; we won it last year and we wanted to do it again.

"Since I've been here we've won it twice already. Like in a game when you score two you want the third one and that is exactly what we want this season."

Jota's prowess in front of goal has always been evident, but his scoring record has been hampered by a string of injuries.

Over the past two seasons, the 27 year old has been sidelined for 248 days due to five separate issues, while over his four full seasons at Anfield, his total absences equate to just eight days shy of an entire year.

This was a challenge Jurgen Klopp couldn't solve, and his successor Slot is already exploring ways to mitigate the impact.

"Rotate," responded the Dutchman, who gave the Portuguese a rest during Saturday's victory over Bournemouth, when asked about the solution.

"I think we are trying to manage his minutes like the others in the best possible way."

"But we also try to prepare them during the week and during the first months of pre-season to prepare them for so many games in the Premier League."

"Sometimes there are small margins, sometimes you can be unlucky as well. If you saw what happened with (Manchester City midfielder) Rodri, that is so unlucky for him."

"In the end you need a bit of luck as well. What the players can do is be as professional as possible, live in the best possible way for their career and I think that's what they've done until now."

"We, as a staff, try to prepare them in the best possible way to go without injuries through this period."