Liverpool finds itself in a state of suspense as they await to determine the extent of Diogo Jota’s knee injury, amid speculation that the striker could be out for up to two months.
The Portuguese international is set to miss this Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Chelsea following a knee injury incurred during Saturday’s 4-1 victory over Brentford. The club is currently awaiting further evaluations to gain a clearer understanding of the injury’s severity.
Jota sustained the injury in the first half when Bees midfielder Christian Norgaard fell awkwardly on him as they vied for possession at the Gtech Stadium, leaving Jota to depart west London with his knee in a brace.
The ex-Wolves striker was stretchered off and replaced by Mohamed Salah, as Liverpool momentarily extended their lead at the top of the Premier League, before Arsenal’s 5-0 victory at Burnley narrowed the gap later that day.
It is believed, however, that the injury does not involve cruciate ligament damage, and Jota remains optimistic about participating in the final stages of the Klopp era at Anfield, potentially providing a significant lift for the title-pursuing Reds.
Jota is adamant about not missing the European Championships for Portugal, having previously missed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar due to a severe calf injury sustained in the dying moments of a 1-0 victory over Manchester City in October of that year.
Following an initial scan over the weekend, Jota is scheduled for further assessments on Monday as Jurgen Klopp and his squad reconvene at the AXA Training Centre for a crucial week, which also includes hosting Luton Town at Anfield on Wednesday.
Portuguese reports on Sunday evening suggested that Jota could be sidelined for about two months, offering him the opportunity to rejoin the Reds for the campaign’s concluding weeks as they continue their quest on multiple fronts.
Nonetheless, further examinations will provide a more precise timeframe for his recovery, and Liverpool is currently refraining from conjecture regarding the duration of the in-form attacker’s absence.
“Diogo seems to be the most severely injured [from the Brentford match],” Klopp remarked post-match. “I’ve yet to review the incident, but I’m told the imagery is rather concerning. We must wait and see.”
Since returning from a hamstring issue at Burnley on Boxing Day, Jota has been in formidable form, netting six goals and providing four assists, including a delicate header to set up Darwin Nunez’s opening goal at the weekend.
Curtis Jones also received an initial scan on Sunday after injuring his ankle in what proved to be a rugged encounter against Thomas Frank’s Bees, leaving him in a state of uncertainty regarding his availability for Wembley.
Jones left the stadium on crutches and in a protective boot, presenting another injury worry ahead of Sunday’s clash with Chelsea at the national stadium in London.
“Curtis received a blow to the lower shin, just above the ankle,” Klopp explained. “The implications remain to be seen. He wasn’t entirely sure of the severity, but the fact Curtis couldn’t continue playing indicates it’s something serious, as he would have otherwise persevered at all costs.”
In Egypt, it’s reported that Mohamed Salah has experienced a setback with the muscle injury that had him sidelined until his substitute appearance on Saturday, where he scored his 19th goal of the season.
Salah, who last started for the Reds on New Year’s Day, scoring twice against Newcastle, encountered a muscle issue while representing Egypt in their Africa Cup of Nations match against Ghana last month. He was subsequently flown back from the Ivory Coast to adhere to a personalised training schedule devised by Liverpool’s rehabilitation team.
Speaking to Egyptian TV station OnTimeSports, presenter Ahmed Shoubir disclosed: “I bear unfortunate tidings, having learnt that Salah was injured towards the end of the Liverpool versus Brentford match, aggravating an injury from the Egyptian national team camp. Sadly, Salah is unlikely to play in Liverpool’s next Premier League match against Luton Town. This is the information I have, and while I hope it’s inaccurate, it appears largely correct.”
Salah, as per standard procedure for recovering players, will undergo an assessment when the squad assembles for training, with Klopp set to provide the latest updates in his Tuesday press conference ahead of Luton’s visit.
