Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Diogo Jota is still “weeks” away from returning to action after injury. However, center-back Joel Matip is in the running for Thursday night’s Premier League clash with Burnley.
Matip has missed Liverpool’s last four games in all competitions, with Jordan Henderson, Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams all filling in at one point or another alongside Fabhino at the back.
The Reds have kept clean sheets in two of those games, but haven’t won since until Matip’s injury at home against West Brom on Boxing Day.
It would be a welcome relief for the experienced 29-year-old to return to the squad this week, not least because it means Henderson can get back to what he does best in the heart of the midfield.
“Joel is in full training and we [will] take a decision. [He] trained normally, ”Klopp said, addressing the media ahead of the game at Anfield.
The latest news on Jota is more of a blow. The Portugal international has scored nine goals in his first 17 appearances for Liverpool following a £ 45million transfer from Wolves, but has not been seen since suffering a knee blow in early December.
“Diogo is in a few weeks,” confirmed the boss. “It won’t be the next one or the next two. He needs time. How much I miss is not important. I have no right to miss it. He’s not there and we’re taking care of him.
In Jota’s absence, Klopp was unable to rest any of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane or Roberto Firmino without seeing a drop in quality, putting undue pressure on all three main fronts in the middle of the crowded fixture list and makes Liverpool struggle to score enough. goals.
Indeed, the Reds have scored just one Premier League goal in four games since Christmas and have gone from first place to fourth due to the crisis.
As well as missing Burnley’s game this week, Jota will be out for the FA Cup clash with Manchester United this weekend and will follow the Premier League fixtures against Tottenham, West Ham and Brighton. Even Manchester City on February 6 could come too soon.
After that, Liverpool will take on Leicester from the top, resume the Champions League against a dangerous RB Leipzig, then host Everton in a Merseyside derby, all within the next month.
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