Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has admitted that his calf injury earlier this season was ‘strange.’
Jota missed around four months of action after being stretchered off against Manchester City in October. It was a frustrating time for the 26-year-old, who is still yet to score a goal this season.
And speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Jota claimed that no-one had ever seen anything like his injury before.
“I had a strange calf injury. They said to me they haven’t seen it before, most of the people,” he said. “So we needed to ask for the help of some specialists as well to try and get over it and of course to give it a little bit more time because of the complexity and just to be safe.
“But yes, it was very hard, a long time. The results, to be honest, didn’t help as well so it was very frustrating to see things happening and not be able to help in any way – well apart from the dressing-room talks, but not on the field.”
Jota slips down the pecking order
This is a little disconcerting to hear from Jota. Okay, he’s over the injury now, but it doesn’t exactly inspire confidence that it won’t happen again. If the doctors involved weren’t sure exactly what they were looking at, how can they be sure that it won’t return?
For now, those worries have to be put aside as Jota attempts to find some rhythm. After easing his way back in following the injury, Jurgen Klopp handed him two consecutive starts before Sunday’s win over Manchester United saw him return to the bench.
Unfortunately for Jota, it looks like that’s where he may now stay for the time being. While he’s remarkably without a goal since April last year, Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez are having no trouble finding the net.
As a result, his chances to find a rhythm of his own may now be limited. As much as Liverpool need Jota back to his best, they can’t afford to carry passsengers.
It may be a little harsh to call Jota a passenger right now, but he does need to start scoring. He has contributed in terms of a game-defining assist against Wolves, that’s true. But his attacking teammates are currently doing much more besides.
With everybody fit and firing, he may still be part of Liverpool’s best XI. Bur right now, largely owing to his ‘strange’ injury, others are jumping ahead of him.