Diogo Jota has opened up on his injury-hit campaign at Liverpool, admitting it has been a tough season for him mentally.
The Portugal international was forced to miss the World Cup across November and December in Qatar after suffering a serious calf problem in the 1-0 win over Manchester City on October 16.
That setback came around six weeks after Jota had made his return to action after picking up a hamstring tear during an early pre-season training session on the club's Thailand tour in July.
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Jota was part of the club's contingent that flew to Dubai in December during the World Cup as he made full use of the world-renowned Nad al Sheba Complex's facilities in an effort to step up his rehabilitation, but he was still forced to miss 18 games on top of the six he was absent for at the beginning of the season.
The hamstring and calf issues have limited the striker to nine Premier League appearances this term and just six starts, two of which came in the recent goalless draw at Crystal Palace and the 2-0 victory over former club Wolves last week.
Jota has now explained the severity of the calf complaint that sidelined him for four months, detailing the rare nature of the injury in a chat with the club's official programme.
"I had a strange calf injury," Jota said. "They said to me they haven't seen it before, most of the people, so we needed to ask for the help of some specialists as well to try and get over it and of course to give it a little bit more time because of the complexity and just to be safe.
"But yes, it was very hard, a long time. The results, to be honest, didn't help as well so it was very frustrating to see things happening and not be able to help in any way - well apart from the dressing-room talks, but not on the field.
"Like I said, I felt good on the pitch at Crystal Palace and I feel improvement in each game I have. Hopefully I can have more impact on the team because I know we need goals and I want to contribute to the goals as well.
"I just need to get my certainty back and I think that will come with more minutes and hopefully I can help with the team with goals and assists. The next game is another opportunity.
"It was a long time ago since I started and it felt good on the pitch. I had good sensations. Obviously we scored no goals (against Palace) and that is what I am here for but it felt good to be back.
"I hope I can now play an important part because it has been ages - four months - since I last played from the start against Manchester City. I have to admit it felt strange, I was not used to playing in the Premier League anymore."
Jota has played a total of 221 minutes since coming back into the squad and admits it's been difficult watching Liverpool struggle in his absence in recent months. His next appearance will be his 100th since moving from Wolves for an initial £40m in September 2020 and he is targeting a strong finish to the term as the Reds chase down fourth in the Premier League.
He added: "It's been a hard season for me, mentally for me especially and of course on the field with the results we have had. Nothing is going our way but we need to try and do something and there is still a lot to play for.
"There is a place to fight for in the league and to give next season a better shape because we all know how important it is to be involved in the Champions League. So I think that's crucial that this season we try to do our best to be there."
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