Diogo Jota was overjoyed to score in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Burnley, despite the fact that he had not anticipated to be involved in the game at all.

The Portugal international had been out with an injury since late November, but he was able to make the Reds’ Boxing Day trip to Turf Moor.

Jota, who came on for Darwin Nunez in the 84th minute, went on to score his side’s crucial second goal, smashing home from Luis Diaz’s backheel in the final minute of the 90.

After the game, the No.20 spoke to Liverpoolfc.com about the ideal Christmas present, adding, “It’s massive, it’s a special feeling.” It had been a hectic 24 hours, and I wasn’t expecting to be on this squad list.

“I was already at home when I found out I needed to travel back out to train with the team, but I just felt I had to do it.”

“I had some special guests today, my family, who came over for Christmas.” It was amazing to win, score, and get back on the field for these three points. “I believe it was the best Christmas present for everyone here.”

Jota, whose late goal gave Liverpool 50 goals, went on to say, “Of course, I trained with the team for the last couple of days, but it’s like ‘be ready for this’.”

“I’m ready for this, that’s why we work and it was such a special feeling knowing I would probably come on today, and to be back with a goal is always special.”

Jota’s goal was crucial, capping off a victory opened up by Nunez’s superb sixth-minute strike on an evening when Jürgen Klopp’s men had to dig deep.

Despite the visitors’ dominance, Cody Gakpo and Harvey Elliott had goals disallowed in either half, with Burnley also fighting back well after the break.

“We were contemplating on the bench as well,” Jota went on to say.

“Because these are the types of games where you’re 1-0 up, you have chances, you miss them, you score, it’s disallowed for offside or a foul, and you just feel ‘we need this second goal’ because they’ll believe, they’re playing at home, it’s Burnley, and they can score.”

“They had a couple of chances as well but fortunately for us we were the ones scoring that second goal and it was decisive.”