Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Diogo Jota will be ruled out with an injury in a blow to their title hopes. The Portugal international had only just returned from injury last week with a cameo appearance against Crystal Palace before scoring against Fulham on Saturday.
It was a first Premier League start for Jota since February but he is now facing another stint on the sidelines. “He scored, felt a little bit (of an injury) and now we found out it’s a bit more. He will be out for two weeks,” Klopp said.
The Reds boss did confirm that Jota was the only new injury, joining Thiago Alcantara, Stefan Bajcetic Ben Doak, Conor Bradley, and Joel Matip in the physio room.
“We had to do it and we will see what we can do now for this game [against Everton on Wednesday night],” Klopp added, “There is nothing definite yet as we will train this afternoon and then we will make decisions.
“We will line players up and hopefully have fresh legs on the pitch.”
The injury will see Jota miss some crucial matches for Liverpool including against Everton on Wednesday in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park. The former Wolves star looks set to also miss Premier League clashes against West Ham and Tottenham but could be fit to face Aston Villa on May 13 at Villa Park.
Jota has had an injury-stunted campaign to date and had just returned from tearing a ligament in his knee that had ruled him out for nine games. The nature of this new injury was not divulged by Klopp and it is not known whether it is an aggravation of the previous problem or something different.
The 27-year-old also missed a portion of the season earlier in the campaign with a muscle injury. But despite his fitness issues, Jota has still proved a reliable source of goals with 15 in all competitions and 10 in 21 Premier League matches.
That includes his strike against Fulham on Saturday, which came at a crucial time with the Reds 2-1 up – confirming all three points to see them go second. Jota was taken off immediately after the goal but the damage has already been done with time running out this season.
Liverpool are second, behind Arsenal on goal difference, in the Premier League and a point ahead of Manchester City, who have a game in hand.
