Jurgen Klopp says £45m Liverpool player was barely able to train yesterday

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Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool forward Diogo Jota hasn’t been able to train properly ahead of facing Brentford.

Jota has been struggling with a bruised rib since facing West Ham last week. The issue hasn’t ruled him out completely, with the 26-year-old playing some part in both Liverpool game since. But speaking in his pre-Brentford press conference today, Klopp said that Jota is still not quite right.

“Diogo has his back issue, the bruised rib, he could train yesterday, but didn’t do a lot to be honest,” said the manager. “He was not really in danger yesterday for any contact and stuff like this, so we have to see there.”

Klopp also gave an update on Roberto Firmino’s current status, as the forward faces a race against time to play his last game for the club. He also confirmed that Thiago Alcantara is out for the season.

“Bobby is not yet in team training. We hope he can start next week,” he explained. “Now we have Thiago, he will have surgery and is out for rest of the season.”

Time to give Diogo a rest

Having come from the bench in the last two games, it looks like Jota will have to make do with a similar role this weekend.

That should hand Darwin Nunez another chance to stake his claim. The Uruguayan didn’t really take his chance having started against Fulham, but can hopefully find a little rhythm now.

With Luis Diaz perhaps needing a rest after two consecutive starts, Cody Gakpo should also come into the XI.

In the meantime, Klopp might be better off resting Jota completely. There wasn’t necessarily a need to bring the £45m man on against Fulham, for example. Maybe it would be worth allowing his issue to heal itself without putting him in any further danger.

Obviously, we don’t know the way the Brentford game will go yet. It’s handy to keep Diogo around on the bench just in case. As he showed against Tottenham, he can be a game-decider.

But if Liverpool don’t need him, we’d rather he sat out. The Reds don’t play again for 9 days after facing the Bees, there’s plenty of time to heal then.