Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed that forward Diogo Jota is set to be sidelined for “months” due to a knee injury sustained during the team’s victory over Brentford on Saturday.
Jota was forced off the field on a stretcher shortly before half-time following an incident where Brentford midfielder Christian Norgaard landed on his leg.
“With Diogo it will obviously take months,” said Klopp, speaking before his side play Luton in the Premier League on Wednesday.
According to a report from Jota’s home country of Portugal, he is anticipated to be absent for approximately two months.
Nonetheless, there are hopes for his return before the conclusion of the season and ahead of the Euro 2024 tournament scheduled for the summer.
“Another setback. I will fight to be back as soon as possible,” said Jota, who has 14 goals in 28 appearances for the Reds this season, on social media.
Jota, who recently clinched the January player of the month award, will be absent for the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea this Sunday due to his injury.
In addition to Jota’s absence, Liverpool faced further setbacks in their match against Brentford. Midfielder Curtis Jones sustained an injury during the game, while striker Darwin Nunez was substituted at half-time as a precautionary measure.
Furthermore, goalkeeper Alisson Becker was unavailable for the match after picking up an issue during training the day before.
Klopp provided updates on the injuries, indicating that Jones has a bone ligament injury, and Alisson is dealing with a muscle issue. However, he could not provide a specific timeline for their return. Consequently, both players will be sidelined for the upcoming match against the Hatters.
Liverpool’s injury list already includes defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is out with a knee injury, as well as midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai and Thiago Alcantara, who are dealing with hamstring and muscle issues respectively.
“It’s not great, definitely not,” added Klopp. “I’d like to say no issues but obviously we have some.
“So, not available, Alisson, that’s a muscle injury where we don’t know exactly how long it takes but definitely not in the foreseeable time coming back.
“The others we will deal with it day-by-day with muscle things.
“Trent and Dom are on the way back but not in team training yet.”