The Reds may be going for ready-made superstars this summer, or at least players very close to that title, but they have been known in the past to find ones that could be classed as hidden gems.

Jurgen Klopp had a strange knack for turning decent, mid-table players into world-beaters, doing so on a rather modest budget.

The likes of Andy Robertson, Sadio Mane, Gini Wijnaldum are some examples of these types of players, with all going on to enjoy successful Anfield careers.

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However, there is another star who, although he perhaps has not hit the heights the other three did, has still proven himself to be an absolute steal, especially after the transfer came out of nowhere.

Now, five years on from his move, the chairman of his former club has revealed that it was a huge mistake to let him go.

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The summer of 2020 was a rather quiet one for the Reds in regards to transfer rumours, so when Diogo Jota was announced as a new Liverpool player, it came as a surprise to most of the fanbase.

Not many even knew that the Portuguese forward was linked, with the club managing to be secretive right until he was announced.

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Many question marks were raised as, although he was a decent player, £45m seemed a lot of money, but it turns out Liverpool still got the better end of the deal as Wolves chairman, Jeff Shi, has revealed that he regrets selling Jota after seeing his progression.

“Of course, at the time, Diogo was injured a little bit too much, so he was injured for two months, then two months again or whatever, and not playing so well in the last three, four months for us,” Shi said on the Business of Sport podcast.

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“But he went to Liverpool, he did so well, and I was very happy for him.

He was a very good guy and a smart boy.

“But if you ask me if I can change the history, I wouldn’t have sold him.”

Despite having a solid Liverpool career to date, netting 65 goals in 182 games, Jota’s injuries have persisted and have hampered his progress on Merseyside, suggesting Shi made the right decision.

On his day, he was one of the most clinical finishers at the club, but he does not get the opportunity to prove it enough, hence why the Reds are assessing their attacking options this summer.

Liverpool are expecting an attacking overhaul this summer and many of their stars are linked with a move away, with Jota one of these.

Although the rumours surrounding him are not as strong as the others, likely due to his injury record, the 28-year-old still has interest from many clubs.

Saudi Arabian sides were interested in Jota earlier in the summer, while some Premier League teams could still make a move.

Wolves in particular could re-sign the Portuguese forward after losing Mateus Cunha to Manchester United, especially if chairman Shi regrets selling him five years ago.
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