Jurgen Klopp says 26-year-old Liverpool player is injured, he’s a big doubt for tomorrow

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Jurgen Klopp has admitted that Liverpool could be without Diogo Jota for tomorrow’s clash against Fulham.

Jota was in the news this week having been involved in two big flashpoints against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. First, there were claims that the 26-year-old should have been sent off following a high boot on midfielder Oliver Skipp.

Next, Jota made himself the toast of Anfield, steering home a 94th-minute winner in-front of the Kop. After a crazy game there’s no let-up for Liverpool, with Fulham coming to town tomorrow evening.

And speaking in his pre-match press conference this afternoon, Klopp said that the events of the past week have taken their toll on Liverpool’s No.20.

“Bobby is out and Diogo struggles,” admitted the Reds boss. “He got a knock in the back in the West Ham game, he has a bruised rib. He could not train before the game [against Spurs] but could play without injection or whatever, but got another knock immediately when he came on. You might have seen the celebration of Diogo, he was sitting down pretty slowly. He didn’t train since then, so he’s a doubt at least, but I hope he can recover before tomorrow night.”

More frustration for Jota

The timing of Diogo’s latest injury setback will be incredibly frustrating for the player himself. Having failed to score in over a year, the Portugal international bagged four in two games against Leeds United and Nottingham Forest.

That will have sent him into last Wednesday’s game with West Ham United full confidence. But early on in that game, Hammers defender Vladimir Coufal ploughed straight through the back of him, injuring him.

Jota stuck around, but the knock clearly affected him. It also meant that he couldn’t start Sunday’s game with Spurs, despite his good form.

With Luis Diaz back fit and Darwin Nunez knocking on the door, it seems virtually certain that he won’t be on the team sheet to face Fulham.

More frustration at the end of what has been a season to forget for Diogo.

Still, all hope doesn’t sound to be lost that he can at least make the squad for tomorrow’s match. As he showed against Spurs, he can still make a big impact coming from the bench.

The most important thing is that Liverpool don’t rush him back and aggravate another injury. We have other options to come in, no risks should be taken.