Liverpool are hopeful attacker Diogo Jota will have returned from injury in time to face Real Madrid in the last-16 of the Champions League.
That’s according to Portuguese newspaper O Jogo, who now share an update on the 26-year-old’s fitness.
Back in mid-October, Jota sustained an injury to his calf during the Reds’ emphatic 1-0 win over Manchester City.
The forward was carried off the pitch, realising he was set to miss out on the World Cup with Portugal.
However, as per O Jogo, there may be a positive update on the player.
The attacker has been doing ‘specific physical reconditioning work’ lately. Following more extensive rehabilitation out in Dubai, Liverpool’s doctors are ‘quite optimistic’ that he’ll be back before expected.
The club are aiming to get Jota back on the training pitch in January, with the hope that he will be fit enough to face Madrid in the round-of-16 of the Champions League – with the first leg set to take place on February 21.
Huge boost for Liverpool
When Jota is fit and firing in a Liverpool shirt, he is a crucial part of Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Prior to his injury, the Portugal international bagged five assists in eight matches this term.
Since joining the Reds back in 2020 in a deal worth £45m, the attacker has amassed an impressive record. In 93 appearances for the club, Jota has scored 34 times and has assisted 14 goals.
With Luis Diaz out with injury, Klopp will be hoping to get the 26-year-old back to fitness as soon as possible.
Jota is more than capable to play off the wing or down the middle, so this versatility would come as a huge boost for the Merseyside outfit.
Looking forward, the club will need to manage the player carefully, as they can’t have him out on the side-lines for extended periods of time again – he is just too important.
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