Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Alisson Becker and Diogo Jota are set to miss Liverpool’s next few games in a devastating injury blow.
Both Alisson and Jota picked up muscle injuries during Liverpool’s 1-1 draw at last Saturday, with the latter forced off after 54 minutes.
After the match, Klopp called their injuries a ‘shadow on the game’ but was unable to say how severe they were.
It has left Reds fans in a panic with the club about to embark on the hectic December schedule which includes huge league clashes against and , as well as on New Year’s Day.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Wednesday, ahead of the Europa League match against LASK, Klopp confirmed what many had feared, saying: ‘Both are out.
‘Ali is a bit lesser, so we have to see. Not day by day he cannot play tomorrow or Sunday probably not the week after, should be kind of okay.
‘Diogo will take a little bit longer, don’t know exactly, but it’s a bit more severe. Have to see..’
By the sounds of it, goalkeeper Alisson will miss the next three league games against Fulham, Sheffield United and Crystal Palace, but could make his return on 17th December when Manchester United visit Anfield.
But if forward Jota is out for longer he will likely miss that clash as well as the Carabao Cup quarter-final against West Ham and the Arsenal visit on 23rd December.
‘In this busy time we need all the boys available,’ Klopp added
‘We have already a lot not available. Thiago [Alcantara] and Robbo [Andy Robertson] are out… Diogo and Ali. That’s massive.
‘It would be great if nothing else would happen! But that’s unlikely. We have to share the intensity between the group.
‘He [Caoimhin Kelleher] would have played anyway and deserves his opportunity to get a few more games and hopefully he can show his full potential
‘You have to be ready for everything. For every game. That means in the match tomorrow evening we have to give the best that we can. That will help!’
Liverpool need to just avoid defeat against LASK to seal their place in the Europa League knockouts, but victory combined with Toulouse not beating Union SG will guarantee they finish top of the group.
In the Premier League, the draw at City has left the Reds third in the table after 13 games and just two behind leaders Arsenal.
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