Jurgen Klopp confirmed it was the worst case scenario for Diogo Jota, with the Liverpool forward ruled out until after the World Cup.
The Portuguese international, who was a certainty to be in Fernando Santos’s squad for Qatar admitted his dream had ‘collapsed’ with the calf muscle issue he picked up vs Manchester City set to keep him on the sidelines until next year.
“It’s really not good news about Diogo. Yes, he will miss the World Cup. [It’s a] pretty serious injury in the calf muscle and now the recovery process starts. That’s it pretty much,” Klopp explained on Tuesday.
“That is the first diagnosis, which was pretty clear, and all the rest will now follow in the next few days. It is very sad news for the boy, and for us as well of course [and] for Portugal.”
Jota is now set to miss the eight matches before the winter break, with Klopp being forced to shuffle his pack to cope with his absence. However, while it is a massive blow for both club and player, it does offer Liverpool the opportunity to blood some more of their talented youngsters.
In a hectic four-week schedule between now and November 12 Klopp will need to rotate his options and here are some Kop starlets which could make a name for themselves:
Mateusz Musialowski
Aged 19, Musialowski has already been dubbed ‘The Polish Messi’...no pressure then. The versatile forward made his name back in Poland, firing in a staggering 133 goals in 88 games for SMS Lodz’s academy sides.
The Reds battled Arsenal when Musialowski was weighing up a move to English football in 2020, ultimately opting to join the Merseysiders. He has since signed his first professional contract and has been a regular in senior training sessions.
And despite only appearing in the EFL Trophy thus far, he has caught the eye of several Liverpool stars, including Virgil van Dijk. "Can we talk about his crossing?" asked Van Dijk in a video released earlier this year. "His crossing is magnificent! The consistency is scary."
On comparisons with his idol, the winger said: "When I see the space, I just go for it. I have seen a lot of Lionel Messi goals like that, so I try to be like him and I want to repeat it."
Kaide Gordon
Already boasting admirers that include Klopp and Wayne Rooney, Kaide Gordon is well placed for a massive career in the game. Signed from Derby County in 2021, the 18-year-old has already made his senior bow, scoring against Shrewsbury in the FA Cup, starting in the League Cup semi-final and appearing in the Premier League.
“That’s Kaide. In these situations, he’s really calm,” Klopp said after Gordon scored his first senior goal. "That’s just him, when a cross comes from the left side, you will find him in the box. He’s good there as well – he has a nose for that, that’s really helpful.
“I know he’s the second-youngest goalscorer for Liverpool, which is absolutely exceptional, but there’s a way to go.”
Ben Doak
Arriving from Celtic earlier this year, Doak has quickly turned heads scoring five and recording as many assists in just 10 games this season. The UEFA Youth League has been a particularly happy hunting ground for the 16-year-old and his winner against Rangers last week is enough to whet the appetite of any Liverpool supporter.
Speaking in September he said: "I look up to Mo Salah obviously. Even if he is not having the greatest of games he always pops up with a goal. His numbers are incredible and speak for themselves.” Doak’s are doing much the same.
Oakley Cannonier
The only player on this list with a Champions League assist to his name, Oakley Cannonier played a part on one of the club’s most famous ever goals. Aged just 14 and working as a ball boy, it was Cannonier’s quick thinking which led to the Trent Alexander-Arnold corner which stunned Barcelona.
But his exploits for Liverpool’s development squads mean that incident could prove to be little more than a footnote of his career. In four UEFA Youth League games, he already has seven goals, with a hat-trick in front of Ajax coming in front of the watching Kenny Dalglish. Not a bad introduction to the King of the Kop.
Layton Stewart
Stewart was making a name for himself in the 2020/21 season before his promising career came to a halt. The forward was out of action for more than a year with an ACL injury, but is back on the pitch and back amongst the goals.
“Obviously I was out for such a long time, so it’s just great to get back playing, getting minutes in my legs again and being back around the boys is good for me,” Stewart - who has been training with the first team - said earlier this season.
With six goals in nine games, hopes are high for the 20-year-old, who will be hoping for a chance sooner rather than later.
