NEWS: ON DIOGO JOTA IS BAD, ALTHOUGH THE “WORST-CASE SCENARIO” IS RULED OUT…
When Brentford captain Christian Norgaard landed on his knee following an aerial challenge during Saturday’s 4-1 triumph, Jota became the latest addition to Liverpool’s expanding list of injuries.
The striker’s knee bent awkwardly, and after receiving treatment from club doctor Jonathan Power, he was stretchered off the pitch.
Early signs suggested Liverpool could have escaped a major blow, as Jota walked freely to the treatment room at the Gtech Community Stadium – but Jurgen Klopp was downcast after full-time.
Initial scans took place on Sunday and, according to Portuguese newspaper Record, Jota has suffered cruciate ligament damage as expected.
It is claimed that the 27-year-old could miss “around two months” of action, with the area of his injury likely to be posterior (PCL) rather than anterior (ACL).
Jota is anticipated to be fit again before the season ends. He will get more scans on Monday, but the “worst-case scenario is excluded.”
The No. 20 would be sidelined for two months, which would keep him out of action until mid-April. He would miss about eight Premier League games, the Carabao Cup final, the FA Cup fifth round, a probable quarterfinal, and the Europa League last 16.
In addition to matches against Man United (April 6), Man City (March 10), and Everton (March 17), his return might take place in between legs of the Europa League quarterfinals.
While it remains frustrating news, the positive is that Jota should be back before the end of the season, which could provide a boost during the run-in.
If he aims to be back for the league trip to Fulham on April 20, for example, he could be available for the final five games of the domestic campaign.