Liverpool injury blow with Diogo Jota to be out for six to eight weeks
Liverpool have suffered a massive blow with the news that Diogo Jota is facing six to eight weeks out with a knee injury, reports James Pearce.
The Portugal international, who has scored nine goals in 17 games since his £41 million move from Wolverhampton Wanderers in September, complained of discomfort following Wednesday's Champions League dead rubber against Midtjylland.
A scan subsequently revealed ligament damage and Jota isn't expected to play again before February.
Left-back Kostas Tsimikas will also be out until the new year after picking up an injury midweek.
How much of a blow is this to Liverpool?
Huge. Jota has been a revelation since signing for the club, quickly adjusting to what Jurgen Klopp demanded from him and showcasing his versatility by playing across the frontline.
His form has been so good that the manager felt able to rotate his established front three of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.
Jota became the first player in Liverpool's history to score in his first four top-flight home games for the club.
What will Klopp's reaction to this be?
Publicly, Klopp will be defiant and reaffirm his faith in the other attacking options at his disposal.
However, privately he will be devastated as Liverpool embark on a gruelling festive schedule without a match-winner like Jota.
It's the latest in a long line of injury setbacks for the club. Klopp is already without key personnel like Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Thiago Alcantara, Xherdan Shaqiri and James Milner.
How will the manager replace Jota in his side?
It increases the burden on Salah, Mane and Firmino.
Klopp won't be able to rotate his forward line over the coming weeks without a significant drop off in quality.
Jota's absence opens the door for Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino, who have struggled for form so far this season. Klopp will certainly need more from that duo in order to keep Liverpool's title defence on track.
What did Klopp say?
Klopp told Sky Sports: "It's worse than we first thought but better than we then thought.
"The potential surgeons had a look at it but no surgery necessary. He will be out for a while, one-and-a-half to two months, we don't know exactly. It's pretty similar with Kostas Tsimikas by the way. Unbelievable.
"We saw the situation when he got it but nobody, even himself, thought something happened there.
"Then we got off the pitch and he felt it a bit. Next day scans and then a surgeon had to look at it. In the end, it sounds strange, but we were happy when we heard the final diagnosis."
Liverpool hope to have Jota back by the time they resume their Champions League campaign in late February. On Monday the club will learn who they will play next in the tournament and you can follow live coverage of the draw here.
(Photo: Gaston Szermann/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
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