Liverpool will be without Diogo Jota for their crucial Champions League clash against RB Leipzig on Wednesday night, as the Portuguese forward recovers from an injury sustained during the 2-1 Premier League win over Chelsea.
Jota, 27, was forced off after just 30 minutes following an awkward collision with Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo. As Jota attempted to push towards the goal, Adarabioyo landed on top of him, leaving the Liverpool star in considerable discomfort. He was replaced by Darwin Nunez shortly after and has not made the trip to Germany with the rest of the squad.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot addressed Jota’s injury during a press conference, explaining that while the injury is bruised and painful, it’s difficult to determine exactly how long he will be sidelined. “He got a knock, like we all saw, when he was trying to go for goal,” Slot said. “It wasn’t the initial knock that was the problem, but the landing afterward. That caused enough pain that he couldn’t continue to play and wasn’t able to travel with us.”
Jota’s absence is one of several Liverpool will have to contend with in their Champions League fixture. Star goalkeeper Alisson Becker, youngster Conor Bradley, and midfielder Harvey Elliott are also unavailable. Federico Chiesa, who has struggled with fitness since his summer move to Liverpool, remains out as well, having missed significant time this season.
On Chiesa, Slot explained that the Italian winger is still struggling with the effects of missing preseason training. “He missed a complete preseason, which is a big deal, especially moving to a league where the intensity is even higher than Serie A,” Slot noted. “It’s been tough for him to adjust, especially with the way the Premier League demands constant high levels of performance. It’s disappointing for him to keep going in and out of training sessions.”
Despite these setbacks, Slot’s start as Liverpool manager has been largely positive. The team currently sits atop the Premier League after their hard-fought win over Chelsea, making it seven victories out of eight matches. In the Champions League, they’ve also enjoyed success, with victories over AC Milan and Bologna placing them in a strong position.
Slot, however, remains cautious, acknowledging that while results have been good, there is still room for improvement. “You can’t ask for much more in terms of results, but we didn’t outplay Chelsea,” he said. “The good thing is, even when we face strong teams like Chelsea or Manchester United, we fight for every moment. That’s key.”
He also reflected on Chelsea’s squad strength, noting the talent the Blues possess despite their struggles. “A lot of people made fun of Chelsea for investing so much, but in my opinion, they’ve done really well. They’ve built such a strong squad, and they will be up there in the upcoming years,” Slot added.
As Liverpool prepare for their third group-stage match in the Champions League, Slot’s side will aim to continue their positive momentum, despite the challenges posed by injuries.