Diogo Jota’s fitness is a major concern for Liverpool ahead of their Champions League clash with Lille on Tuesday night, as he missed open training on Monday afternoon. The Portuguese forward had already been sidelined for Saturday’s 2-0 victory at Brentford, following a setback in last Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest. His absence raised doubts about whether he would be fit enough to feature in Liverpool’s first Champions League match in over a month.
Jota’s last Premier League appearance for Liverpool was on October 20, when he was forced off the pitch due to an upper body injury during the game against Chelsea. The forward, however, marked his return in the Forest match last week, scoring a crucial equalizer just 22 seconds after coming on as a substitute. But his brief cameo was marred by another issue, with head coach Arne Slot confirming on Friday that Jota was unlikely to play against Brentford due to the ongoing discomfort.
Originally, there were hopes that Jota might be able to return to full training ahead of Monday’s session. However, the 27-year-old worked separately from the main group in a custom workout designed to aid his recovery. He was unable to rejoin the team for the session on the AXA Training Centre pitches, which made his availability for the Lille match even more uncertain. With Jota clearly not ready to return to action in time for the European fixture, Slot is left to choose between Darwin Núñez and Luis Díaz to fill the No.9 spot in his absence.
Núñez, who was a hero for Liverpool at Brentford with two stoppage-time goals, participated in Monday’s session, alongside Díaz. Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, and new signing Federico Chiesa also took part. Slot had been cautious in his comments regarding Jota’s injury, emphasizing the uncertainty surrounding his situation. He explained that although Jota is undeniably a key player for the team, the forward had not been involved in training on Friday and that it was unclear whether he would be ready for Tuesday’s Champions League game. According to Slot, Jota had felt some discomfort during his cameo at Forest and had not fully recovered by the following day, which led to his absence from the training pitch.
Slot added that Jota was working on a tailored program aimed at preventing future injuries, but this individual approach is something every player in the squad undergoes. Slot explained that while 80 to 90 percent of the recovery programs are similar for all players, each individual gets specific adjustments based on their needs. The head coach also highlighted the importance of managing injury-prone players, like Jota, through preventative measures, to ensure their fitness for the demanding season ahead.
In addition to Jota’s injury concerns, Joe Gomez is the other notable absentee from the squad. The defender has been out since sustaining a hamstring problem during Liverpool’s 5-0 win at West Ham United on December 29. Gomez’s recovery is still ongoing, and there is no clear timeline for his return. Young players Jayden Danns, Trey Nyoni, and James McConnell were all involved in the session on Monday as they continue their development within the squad.
With a pivotal Champions League fixture just around the corner, the absence of Jota is a blow for Liverpool. The Reds will need to adapt, and Slot faces tough decisions about how best to line up his attacking options in the absence of one of his key forwards. While Jota’s injury may force changes, Liverpool’s depth in attack with the likes of Núñez, Díaz, and Salah gives the team plenty of options to remain competitive in their European campaign.
