Jurgen Klopp delighted at return to form of 'exceptional' Diogo Jota for Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp paid tribute to “exceptional” Diogo Jota and expressed his delight that the Liverpool forward is finally back to full fitness.

It has been a nightmare campaign for Jota who missed most of pre-season after aggravating a hamstring problem in mid-July on the club's tour of Thailand, which stopped him playing again until the start of September.

He then sustained a serious calf injury during Liverpool's 1-0 Premier League win over Manchester City at Anfield in October, which also ruled him out of Portugal's World Cup campaign in Qatar.

The 26-year-old returned for Jurgen Klopp's side in February but it was not until the 6-1 thrashing of Leeds United that Jota was back among the goals – scoring twice at Elland Road, ending a Liverpool drought that had lasted more than 12 months.

He then followed that up with another brace in the 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest at the weekend and manager Klopp believes the player has finally recovered from his injury woes.

“He just got back up to speed,” the German coach said, ahead of Liverpool's match at West Ham United on Wednesday. “He is an exceptional player.

“Since Diogo joined us he did exceptional stuff for us. He's super smart, can play a lot of different positions, he has super interesting skills for an offensive player.

“He's not the tallest but an extreme threat in the air, his timing is top, he can finish with both feet, which is extremely helpful, and has the speed.

“Diogo this season had a really bad injury, that kept him back, nothing else. If he stays fit he is an outstanding player.

“When you are injured you need rhythm. It is an continuing season and nobody waits for you – that is the most difficult thing.

“Now it's really cool he could score these goals because