Liverpool made a strong start to their Premier League clash with Chelsea, helping them to a 2-1 win at Anfield.
Virgil van Dijk praised Chelsea pre-match, with the Liverpool captain impressed by the London club’s start to life under Enzo Maresca.
But it was the home side who drew first blood at Anfield, with Mohamed Salah firing home a penalty in the 29th minute.
Just moments after, however, Liverpool lost Dioga Jota to injury, with the attacker having been involved in an early altercation with Tosin Adarabioyo.
The Chelsea defender pulled down the Portugal star in the sixth minute before landing on his opponent, with a yellow card going his way.
Diogo Jota injury update emerges after substitution vs Chelsea
Jota played on through the issue for as long as he could, but couldn’t continue and was ultimately forced off for Darwin Nunez.
Watching on from Anfield, Sky Sports reporter Vinny O’Connor shared his verdict on the issue, as quoted by Sky Sports: “Looks like a rib injury for Jota.
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“He’s been feeling it since he was brought down by Tosin when running through. Seemed to be a knee in the ribs that caused the issue. Nunez gets his chance now.”
Arne Slot needs Diogo Jota back at Liverpool as soon as possible
Jota has impressed under Arne Slot so far, with the Portugal international on four goals and two assists for the season.
He has held off competition from the likes of Nunez for a starting berth this season, but now the Reds look set to be without their talented forward.
The injury will really worry Slot, who needs his entire squad fit and healthy at this crucial and busy stage of the season.
Jota is arguably the best finisher at Liverpool, with his Anfield teammates now needing to step up to the mark in his likely absence.
It remains to be seen how long he will be sidelined for, but Slot will be desperate to have Jota back as soon as possible.
Jota joined Liverpool for £45million from Wolves in 2020, with the 27-year-old currently on 60 goals from his 154 appearances.
Nicolas Jackson brought the visitors level just after the break, but his equaliser was quickly cancelled out by Curtis Jones.
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