Jürgen Klopp has confirmed that Diogo Jota will be sidelined for approximately two weeks after sustaining an injury during the match against Fulham last weekend.
The Portugal international, who started Sunday’s 3-1 Premier League victory, scored Liverpool’s third goal in the second half at Craven Cottage.
Following further assessment, it has been determined that Jota has a fitness issue that will keep him out of action for the short term.
When asked at his pre-Everton press conference today about any new injury concerns, Klopp said: “Unfortunately, yes. Diogo scored the goal, felt a little bit and now we found out it’s a little bit more.
“So he will be out for two weeks.
“Besides that, no [other new injury concerns].”
The manager added of Jota: “I cannot really say a lot about it, to be honest.
“Before which game where he didn’t start, he got a knock – normal challenge, then felt a little bit at the hip. That was then fine because we didn’t start him, brought him on, that was alright.
“Then he started the last game, was obviously OK and then with the finish… it’s a small one but we are late in the season, so obviously now it’s not a great moment for each injury pretty much.
“It’s not a big one. When I say two weeks, actually really it’s pretty much nothing but enough to not be available.”
Liverpool’s journey across Stanley Park for the 244th Merseyside derby on Wednesday night marks the second of three consecutive Premier League away matches within a week for Klopp’s men.
Having rotated his starting lineup for the encounter with Fulham, the boss was asked about how this strategy has benefited the squad as they prepare to face Everton and then West Ham United.
“In this week because the next one is around the corner immediately and then away at West Ham, we had to do it and we will see what we can do now for this game,” he replied.
“Nothing definite yet. It’s pretty early after the game. This afternoon is the only real session we have and then we will make decisions. We will line players up and hopefully we will have again a lot of fresh legs on the pitch.
“Everton played on Sunday as well, so the same rhythm. Now not all the time the same rhythm, I think their rhythm was quite frequently interrupted where they had two or three weeks off, which is not great as well. I’m sure Sean Dyche didn’t like that as well because that’s strange in the middle of the season, all of a sudden no game for three weeks.
“This is now an intense week for both teams. We will see.”
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