Liverpool kicked off a difficult run of post-international break fixtures with an important win over Chelsea on Sunday.
The Reds didn’t make life easy for themselves at times – and Chelsea played relatively well – but getting the three points was ultimately all that mattered.
The win moves Liverpool back to the top of the Premier League table and means it’s now 10 wins from 11 games as Liverpool head coach for Arne Slot.
However, Sunday’s victory did not come without a price-tag. For the second match running, the Reds lost a big player to injury.
Having seen Alisson Becker go down with a hamstring problem last time out against Crystal Palace, the Chelsea match threw up an issue for Diogo Jota.
Jota was involved in a tangle with Blues defend Tosin Adarabioyo in the first-half, leaving the Portuguese forward clutching his ribs. He did plough on for a time but Jota had to be replaced by Darwin Nunez after half an hour. Following the game, Slot has given an update on his No.20.
Arne Slot confirms Diogo Jota issue
Jota has had rotten luck with injuries all the way through his Liverpool career. The 27-year-old has never fully been able to stay with a clean bill of health.
That has largely been kept at bay this season, though, with Jota starting seven of Liverpool’s eight games in the Premier League so far.
The Reds’ next fixture in the league is a big one, as they come up against Jota’s favourite opposition, Arsenal.
After the former Wolves man was forced off against Chelsea, though, his participation against the Gunners may now be under threat.
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Before that, Liverpool face RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday.
And speaking in his post-match press conference after the game, Slot confirmed that he would ‘be surprised’ if Jota was passed fit to play in Germany.
“Diogo had to be substituted and I am not sure what it is, but I’d be surprised if he is there on Wednesday,” said the Dutchman.
Darwin Nunez set for Liverpool chance
Jota’s injuries have often cruelly come at times when the Portugal international is really hitting his straps for Liverpool.
But while that can usually be the case, it was not on Sunday. Jota was quiet and largely ineffectual in his half hour on the pitch against Chelsea.
Nunez was better once he came on and although he didn’t score, the Uruguayan worked incredibly hard and was a constant pain to anyone in a Chelsea shirt.
Nunez has had a difficult season so far but Jota’s expected absence should give him another chance to shine in the starting XI against Leipzig.
If he can take that, then Darwin may just be able to fight his way into the team for Liverpool’s biggest game of the season so far next Sunday. The door looks like it’s about to be left open.
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