Liverpool forward Diogo Jota is facing between six and eight weeks out with a knee injury, manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed. The Portuguese came off in the Champions League dead rubber match against Midtjylland in mid-week and could now miss the next two month of action.
Confirmation from Jurgen Klopp that Diogo Jota is facing six to eight weeks out with the knee injury he suffered in midweek. Massive blow for #LFC.
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) December 13, 2020
Diogo Jota Facing Up to Eight Weeks Out
Was it Worth the Risk?
Liverpool already knew before the game in Denmark that they had qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League. They played a significantly weaker team as a result, but Jota, who has been in red-hot form so far this season, still started the game.
Klopp will feel that he respected the competition and the opposition by keeping in-form players in the side and allowing Jota to potentially continue his high-scoring campaign. However, the plan has clearly backfired now, leaving Liverpool with limited options up front.
Divock Origi, who has played the back-up role so well in previous seasons, has been less than impressive when given opportunities this season. The same can be said for Takumi Minamino, who has just three competitive goals for the club since moving from RB Salzburg.
Extent of Injury
The injury to Jota comes at a bad point for Liverpool, who have games against league leaders Tottenham Hotspur and tough-to-beat Crystal Palace coming up after this weekend’s clash at Fulham.
One positive aspect to this news, though, is that Jota will not require surgery to his knee, according to Sky Sports’ Patrick Davison. This could limit the number of potential complications with his return and see him come back into the fold sooner than expected.
Klopp has confirmed that Jota is out for 6 to 8 weeks. Worse than first thought but better than had then feared. Doesn’t need surgery.
— Patrick Davison (@skysports_PatD) December 13, 2020
In addition to the Jota news, Klopp has confirmed that new signing Kostas Tsimikas is facing another spell on the sidelines with a “similar” injury.
The Greek international is yet to appear in the Premier League, instead playing once in the League Cup and three times in the Champions League.
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