Diogo Jota was Liverpool's hero once again on Thursday night as they beat Leicester 2-0 at Anfield.

Jota scored twice as Jurgen Klopp's side moved within nine points of Manchester City at the top of the table.

Before Jota signed for the club in the summer of 2020 for £41 million, the thought of not starting either Sadio Mane or Mohamed Salah would have given Liverpool fans sleepless nights.

But the Reds have now won six of the seven matches Mane and Salah haven't started due to their participation in the Africa Cup of Nations.

That's mainly thanks to Jota, who has scored five goals in that time and continues to prove that he's far more than just a squad player.

There was some doubt when Liverpool paid Wolves a hefty sum of money for a player unlikely to start ahead of Mane, Salah or Roberto Firmino. But after 30 goals in 60 matches in all competitions, Jota is making it very difficult for Klopp to leave him out - even following the arrival of winger Luis Diaz.

Jota represents just another incredible piece of business from Klopp at Anfield.

In fact, according to Glenn Hoddle, Jota is Klopp's best signing at the club. The BT Sport pundit said as much on co-commentary duty during Liverpool's win over Leicester.

Now that's one hell of a statement.

But, ultimately, it's an incorrect one.

We've run the rule over all of Klopp's purchases at Liverpool and have come to the conclusion that Jota is actually only the SEVENTH best buy the German has made. We're giving Jota the nod over the likes of Georginio Wijnaldum, Joel Matip and Thiago who have all proved to be brilliant acquisitions but there's no way you can pick him above some of the others.

So, who is the top six?

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6. Fabinho

Signed immediately after Liverpool had lost the 2017/18 Champions League final to Real Madrid. Fabinho arrived from Monaco for £39 million and has gone on to establish himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in world football.

5. Alisson

Liverpool had struggled to find a reliable No.1 for many years before they spent a world-record fee on Alisson from Roma. Barring the odd mistake, the Brazilian has been so reliable - and even popped up with an incredibly important goal last season to help secure a top-four finish. The best goalkeeper in the world? He's certainly up there.

4. Sadio Mane

The £34 million signing of Mane helped take Liverpool to the next step. He's now in his sixth season as a Liverpool player. In that time, he's scored more than 100 goals.

3. Andy Robertson

If we're talking about the best bargains, then Robertson is right up there. The Scot cost just £8 million from relegated Hull and, while it took some time for him to secure the left-back slot, he's been almost ever-present since. The 27-year-old has played more than 200 times for the club and is on his way to becoming a genuine legend at Anfield.

2. Virgil van Dijk

Liverpool forked out £75 million for Van Dijk in January 2018 but the way the Dutchman transformed the side's defence almost immediately made a mockery of the fee. Even a serious knee injury last season which ruled him out for more than nine months hasn't stopped him from being a Rolls Royce of a defender.

1. Mohamed Salah

How could Hoddle even think about putting Jota ahead of Salah? After signing for an initial £36.5 million, Salah has been nothing short of sensational. The Egyptian has scored 148 goals in 230 appearances in all competitions. The club really need to reward him with a lucrative new contract.

Title Race ALIVE! Liverpool 2-0 Leicester City (The Football Terrace)