Watch as Diogo Jota sends timely Liverpool message to Arne Slot with incredible pre-season goal

Liverpool gave the first Anfield crowd of the Arne Slot era a moment of pure magic as it took the lead against Sevilla. It was a piece of brilliance from Diogo Jota , who sent a timely message to his new head coach .

It wasn't long before Luis Diaz doubled the lead with another impressive goal, and he made it three before half-time, but it would be surprising if many goals surpassed Jota's strike all season. Meeting a delivery from Trent Alexander-Arnold , he produced a sumptuous volley back across the goal and into the corner.

It comes as Slot prepares to choose between an array of striking options ahead of the season opener against Ipswich Town. Jota got the nod here, but Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo will also have designs on the role.

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Jota's place in the lineup might hint that he will start the campaign as first-choice, with Slot having more or less picked his strongest side against Sevilla. However, there were some interesting omissions from the squad, not least Nunez.

He'll presumably feature later on when Liverpool plays Las Palmas, but he might perceive there has been a message sent about the early pecking order. Perhaps the most surprising omission from the first XI was Harvey Elliott , who has been impressive in pre-season to date.

That just underlines the level of competition in the Liverpool squad, with a plethora of elite options vying for starting places. As such, it was a timely contribution from Jota, affirming Slot's decision to drop him into the "stronger" XI against Sevilla.

Jota was Liverpool's most clinical forward by far last season. If Slot and the medical staff are able to keep him fit, he could be a majorly potent weapon in the new campaign.

Liverpool.com says: You might be going back to the Xherdan Shaqiri bicycle kick to find a better pre-season strike from a Liverpool player. The pass was one thing, but the finish was simply an outrageous display of technique, control and accuracy.

The best thing is that you'd back Jota to take this on in a match situation as well. It wasn't pure showboating, it was the best option in the moment, and the finish was one of a truly instinctive marksman.