Diogo Jota will miss the World Cup after suffering a calf injury in Liverpool’s win over Manchester City.
The Portuguese forward was stretchered off deep into stoppage-time at Anfield, immediately sparking fears that he may be set for a spell on the sidelines ahead of the action getting underway in Qatar next month.
That has now been made official, with Jota taking to Twitter to post an emotional message after the news was announced.
“After such a good night at Anfield mine ended in the worst way,” he posted.
“In the last minute one of my dreams collapsed I will be one more supporting from the outside, club and country, and fighting to be back as soon as possible. You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
After such a good night at Anfield mine ended in the worst way ! In the last minute one of my dreams collapsed 💔
— Diogo Jota (@DiogoJota18) October 18, 2022
I will be one more supporting from the outside, club and country, and fighting to be back as soon as possible 🙏
You'll Never Walk Alone pic.twitter.com/gKssZSnLZ1
Jurgen Klopp confirmed that scans have revealed Jota’s issue is a serious one and while he did not give a specific timeline for the forward’s return, he is expecting a lengthy absence.
“Not good news, about Diogo, he will miss the World Cup, pretty serious injury in the calf muscle,” the Liverpool boss said in his pre-match press conference ahead of the West Ham match.
“The process starts from now. That’s it pretty much, that’s the first diagnosis, which was pretty clear. All the rest will follow in the next few days.
“Very sad news for the boy, for us, for Portugal, for everybody.
He added: “It’s a big impact. Now we can say that because he will be out for a long time, we talk about months. We will see, I don’t want to put a number on it. It will be long.”
Jota joins a number of his Liverpool team-mates on the injury list, with Joel Matip also currently out with a calf injury and Ibrahima Konate ruled out of the City clash with a muscle issue.
Luis Diaz is out until after the World Cup with a knee injury picked up against Arsenal, while Arthur Melo suffered a huge blow to his chances of making an impression at the club after suffering an injury in training and he is set to be out for three months.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Curtis Jones and Naby Keita are all currently out too to leave Klopp with an increasingly depleted squad, though Trent Alexander-Arnold returned to come off the bench against City.
