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Liverpool hit by injury setback to Diogo Jota as striker faces longer wait to return

Posted on by Bobb
Liverpool hit by injury setback to Diogo Jota as striker faces longer wait to return

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has provided a health update ahead of the Premier League clash with Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday.

Diogo Jota is sidelined after picking up an injury in Liverpool's win over Chelsea at Anfield.
Diogo Jota is sidelined after picking up an injury in Liverpool’s win over Chelsea at Anfield.(Image: John Powell/Liverpool via Getty Images)

Diogo Jota is in danger of missing Liverpool’s stunning double header at Anfield against Real Madrid and Manchester City as he continues to struggle for fitness. Jota was absent after suffering an impact injury to his upper body when he was tackled by Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo during the Reds’ 2-1 home win. Premier League victory on October 20.

The striker was initially expected to return immediately after the upcoming international break, with Liverpool traveling to Southampton on November 24 before enjoying themselves. Champions League title holders Real Madrid and Premier League champions City next week.

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But Khotawho has already missed five games and will miss Saturday night’s Premier League visit to Aston Villa, now risks not returning until the early December visit of Newcastle United and Everton.

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“We expect him to return after the international break.” Liverpool head coach Arne Slot said on Friday. “Now, after the international break, there are six or seven months left (of the season)!

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“He will be back in one or two weeks after the international break.”

Since Jota is out of the game, Slot mixed and matched his options in the central attack.

Darwin Nunez started three matches and scored the winning goal in the Champions League for RB Leipzig, Luis Diaz scored a hat-trick from the middle in a 4-0 home win over Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday, while Liverpool went without a recognized number nine for League Cup victory over Brighton.

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Alisson Becker, Harvey Elliott And Federico Chiesa will also not return until after the international break, although no return date has yet been set for any of the trio.