The Liverpool striker is giving Arne Slott a new injury concern
Liverpool will assess Diogo Jota’s fitness before making a decision on whether to include him in the squad to face Brentford on Saturday.
28 year old he brought the Premier League leader a valuable point away in midweek, scoring just 22 seconds after coming on as a substitute and returning a high flight Nottingham Forest on the City Field.
The goal was Jota’s fifth Premier League strike in another injury-interrupted campaign. After missing 50 games over the past two seasons due to various muscle injuries and torn knee ligaments, the former Wolves striker has already missed a dozen games for Arne Slot.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the exciting meeting at Brentford, the Dutchman confirmed that Jota suffered another setback and was forced to miss training on Thursday, with a decision now to be made on his inclusion in the squad for the capital.
“There is no doubt that Jota is an important player for us, but he was not in training yesterday so that means we have to see where he is today,” said Slot. “So it is not certain that he will be available tomorrow. We have to wait and see today.
“He felt himself a little when he entered [at Forest]some banter during the half hour he entered. He could have finished the game, but afterwards he resented it a bit and that’s why he didn’t practice yesterday.
“We have to wait and see if he’s free today and then, of course, tomorrow.”
Pressed specifically on whether Liverpool trying to manage Jota’s fitness carefully, the former Feyenoord boss continued: “Not because it’s Jota, but I think every player has an individual programme.
“I said that last week, 80 or 90 percent [the time] they do the same [things]but of course each individual has things they want to improve or prevent from getting certain injuries they may have had in the past.
“Of course, care is taken to ensure that he works individually so that he doesn’t get injured, but it’s not just him, it’s the same for everyone else.
“There’s a specific program for him, like every single player – there’s a specific program for every single player – but 80 or 90% is the same for every player.”