Liverpool forward Diogo Jota to miss World Cup with Portugal

Diogo Jota is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to the calf muscle injury suffered against Manchester City on Sunday.

The injury means the Liverpool player will miss Portugal’s World Cup campaign in Qatar.

Jota was carried off in stoppage time of Liverpool’s 1-0 Premier League victory over City but he does not require surgery.

Jota to miss World Cup

In his pre-match press conference ahead of Liverpool’s clash with West Ham, manager Jürgen Klopp confirmed: “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.

“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.

“[It will have a] big impact. So now we can say that because he will not be in for a long time; we talk about months.

“So, we will see. I don’t want to put now a number on it because I always hope in the middle of the rehab there is a very positive development and we can cut days off the rehab phase, but it will be long.”

Jota’s second injury of the season

The injury is the second Jota has picked up this season, with the 25-year-old missing the opening weeks of the 2022-23 campaign due to a hamstring issue.

Díaz ruled out for Liverpool

Liverpool recently lost Colombian forward Luis Díaz to injury and he will also miss the league action this side of Christmas.

The former FC Porto player was forced off in the first half of the Premier League clash with Arsenal in London after sustaining a kee injury. Díaz will not, however, require surgery, which is good news for Liverpool.

Díaz had scored three goals and provided two assists in eight Premier League appearances this season before picking up the knock.