Jurgen Klopp confirms Diogo Jota has picked up fresh injury in Liverpool title race blow

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has revealed Diogo Jota will be ruled out through injury in a major blow to their title hopes.

The Portugal international had only just returned from injury last week with an appearance against Crystal Palace before scoring against Fulham on Saturday.

It was a first Premier League start for Jota since February, but he now faces another spell on the sidelines.

“He scored, felt a little (injured) and now we found out it was a little more. He will be out for two weeks,” Klopp said.

The Reds boss confirmed 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),” added Klopp.

“There is nothing definitive yet because we will train this afternoon and then we will make decisions.

“We’ll get the players lined up and hopefully get some 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 is also expected to miss the Premier League clashes against West Ham and Tottenham, but could be able to face Aston Villa on May 13 at Villa Park.

2

Jota has had an injury-delayed campaign so far and was only just returning from a torn knee ligament that ruled him out for nine games.

The nature of this new injury has not been disclosed by Klopp and it is unclear whether it is an aggravation of the previous problem or something different.

The 27-year-old also missed part of the season earlier in the campaign due to a muscle injury.

But despite his fitness issues, Jota has still proven to be a reliable source of goals with 15 goals in all competitions and 10 in 21 Premier League matches.

That includes his strike against Fulham on Saturday, which came at a crucial moment with the Reds leading 2-1 – confirming all three points to see them move into second.

Jota was taken off immediately after the goal, but the damage has already been done as time runs out this season.

Liverpool are second, behind Arsenal on goal difference, in the Premier League and one point ahead of Manchester City, who have a game in hand.