Jurgen Klopp has emphasized that Liverpool must not seek excuses ahead of their clash with Luton on Wednesday, despite facing mounting injury concerns at Anfield. The confirmation of Diogo Jota’s injury, expected to sideline him for “months,” without an exact timeline, has only compounded fans’ fears.
Jota’s absence, attributed to a knee injury, will undoubtedly impact Liverpool’s pursuit of success in the Premier League title race and their quest for four trophies this season. However, the club remains optimistic about his potential return before the season concludes.
The Portuguese forward was forced off during Liverpool’s recent 4-1 victory over Brentford, a match where Curtis Jones also suffered an injury setback in the first half.
Joining Jota and Jones on the sidelines are Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson, and Dominik Szoboszlai, with Darwin Nunez also under observation after his halftime substitution against Brentford. Unfortunately, barring Nunez, none of the injured players are expected to be available for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Chelsea.
Klopp provided updates on the team’s injury woes, stating, “Diogo is sidelined with a knee issue, while Curtis has a ligament problem, ruling them both out. Ali is unavailable due to a muscle injury, and we’re uncertain about the timeline. As for Dom and Trent, they’re progressing from knee injuries but are not yet back in team training, meaning they’re also unavailable. However, as long as we have 11 players, we’ll push forward.”
Regarding Jota’s injury, Klopp mentioned, “It’s a matter of months, not weeks, for Diogo’s recovery. Unfortunately, I cannot provide a specific timeframe. When key players are absent, it’s challenging, but we must remain optimistic.”
Klopp highlighted the squad’s versatility, with players like Alexis Mac Allister and Joe Gomez demonstrating adaptability throughout the season. He stressed, “Injuries are no excuse. Football is flexible, and players must be capable of various roles on the pitch.”
Acknowledging the upcoming challenge against Luton, Klopp praised their coach, Rob Edwards, and emphasized the need for strong support from the Anfield crowd. He also emphasized the importance of defensive vigilance, particularly during set-piece situations.
Despite Klopp’s optimistic demeanor, Jota’s absence, given his prolific form this season with 14 goals across all competitions, will undoubtedly be felt by Liverpool.