Super Eagles-Eligible Elijah Adebayo Loses Premier League POTM Race to Liverpool's Jota

Elijah Adebayo loses Premier League POTM for January to Diogo Jota | Photo credit: X/ @PremierLeague, Imago

Super Eagles-Eligible Elijah Adebayo Loses Premier League POTM Race to Liverpool's Jota

Ayoola Kelechi 14:17 - 16.02.2024

Liverpool's Diogo Jota emerged as the Premier League's January Player of the Year after beating off stiff competition from Nigeria-eligible Elijah Adebayo

In the race for January 2024's Player of the Month award, Liverpool's Diogo Jota emerged victorious, outshining a competitive field that included the Super Eagles-eligible, Elijah Adebayo

This achievement marks Jota's first ever Player of the Month award, a testament to his exceptional performance throughout the month, which saw him directly contribute to Liverpool's success with three goals and two assists in just three appearances.

Adebayo's Noteworthy Performance

Despite Jota's success, Elijah Adebayo's achievements in January were notable. The Luton Town striker scored his first career hat-trick in a remarkable 4-0 win against Brighton & Hove Albion, marking the club's largest Premier League victory.

Adebayo's performance, characterized by a flicked header in the opening minute and two additional close-range finishes, showcased his prowess as a forward. However, his contributions, although significant, were not enough to secure him the Player of the Month award over Jota.

 A Competitive Field for January POTM 

Jota and Adebayo were part of a six-man shortlist for the award, which also featured notable names such as Kevin De Bruyne, Gabriel Magalhaes, Richarlison, and Jota's Liverpool teammate, Conor Bradley. Jota's victory follows Mohamed Salah's October success, marking him as the second Liverpool player to win the award this season. The winner was decided after combining public votes from the EA SPORTS website with those of a panel of football experts.

Diogo Jota's Player of the Month award for January 2024 is a well-deserved accolade for his outstanding contributions to Liverpool's campaign. While Elijah Adebayo's remarkable hat-trick and overall performance are hopefully a sign of things to come, the competition was stiff, and Jota's consistent impact across the month ultimately earned him the top spot. As the Premier League continues, both players will undoubtedly remain key figures for their respective teams, with fans eager to see what they will achieve in the months to come.