Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says Diogo Jota already knew his World Cup dreams were over after Sunday’s game at Anfield.
The forward was stretchered off during injury time of the 1-0 win over Manchester City. And speaking in his pre-West Ham press conference today via Liverpool FC on YouTube, Klopp shared what Jota told him after the match.
“It’s Diogo and he is surprisingly okay so far. He’s an incredibly smart boy and very reflective. I think he knew it when we carried him off the pitch, when I spoke to him for a second,” said the coach.
“When I came out, we passed each other after the game, and I spoke to him there and he explained pretty much what happened. I think in that moment he knew already that it’s a serious one and could be pretty impactful for his World Cup dreams.”
Pretty impactful it turned out to be. Heartbreak for Jota as he had looked certain to be in the Portugal squad. All the best in your recovery, Diogo. We are all with you.
Jota misses the World Cup, Liverpool miss their goal poacher
This was always going to be the danger of playing a World Cup in the middle of the season. With a shortened pre-season, players are perhaps not quite as ready as they usually would be.
Unfortunately for Jota, he’s the latest to pay the price for that.
It isn’t clear exactly what the 25-year-old’s issue is. Although Klopp did at least confirm today that surgery won’t be required.
Either way, it looks as though Jota’s season will now be drastically reduced. Just how much that is reduced by remains to be seen. When asked to put a timeframe on his player’s recovery, Klopp wouldn’t be drawn.
“He will not be in for a long time. We’re talking about months,” said the boss. “We will see, I don’t want to put a number on it, because I always hope in the middle of the rehab that there’s a very positive development and we can cut days off the rehab phase. But it will be long.”
Just how long is long remains to be seen. Having worked hard to get himself fit from a hamstring injury this summer though, it’s a really cruel blow for Jota.
It’s a really cruel blow for Liverpool, too. The month-and-a-half break for the World Cup means the Reds won’t miss their No.20 for as many games as they usually would, but it still sounds like he’ll miss a further chunk.
On top of Luis Diaz’s injury, it’s really the last thing that Liverpool need. Perhaps it may even force their hand in the January transfer market. We’ll have to wait and see. For now though, thoughts are with Jota as he begins his rehab.
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