Diogo Jota saved Liverpool after scoring an instant goal against Nottingham Forest, breaking a club record.

The Portuguese had scored four goals in as many games against Forest before Tuesday’s game but had to make do with a place on the bench.

With Liverpool struggling midway through the second half, Jota was brought in to save the day and he delivered emphatically.

Just 22 seconds after coming on as a substitute, the 28-year-old headed Kostas Tsimikas’ corner into the goal, securing Liverpool a point.

Shortly afterwards, Jota also failed twice to Matz Sels, who had the greatest influence of all the players and won This is AnfieldMan of the Match award.

In fact, the No.20’s header was the fastest goal by a Liverpool substitute since Premier League records began in 2006/07, surpassing Daniel Sturridge’s 24 seconds against West Ham in August 2018, according to statistician Ged Rea (@ged0407).

Jota (12) has now moved up to fifth place among the Reds’ top substitute goalscorers, drawing level with Ryan Babel and Divock Origi.

Only Sturridge (13), Mohamed Salah (14), Roberto Firmino (16) and David Fairclough (18) are ahead of him.

The fastest Premier League goal by a substitute was scored by Newcastle’s Sammy Ameobi, who needed just eight seconds to score from the bench against Tottenham in 2014/15.

Time for more starts for Jota?

Jota may be a brilliant substitute, but now fully fit and firing, he will need to take the lead for Liverpool in the second half of the season.

Admittedly, he is a player who needs careful management given his injury record over the years, but he is arguably the Reds’ most ruthless finisher.

Luis Diaz has had a good season, shining at times as a false nine, but it’s an experiment that’s starting to look flawed against low blocks.

In Jota, Liverpool have a fighter who performs well in big moments and he can be a massive player until the end of the season.

Arne Slot will certainly be thinking about getting him into the starting XI on Saturday afternoon at Brentford in what has the potential to be another tight away game.

That’s not to be too harsh on Diaz, who has been impressive overall, but it seems like the right time to change up the offense.