Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Liverpool and Portugal attacker Diogo Jota will miss the 2022 World Cup due to a calf injury
The 25-year-old was stretchered off the field in the final seconds of Sunday’s 1-0 Premier League win over Manchester City.
There were initial concerns that Jota’s injury would prevent him from competing in the World Cup in Qatar, and Klopp has now confirmed the worst.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Liverpool’s match against West Ham United on Wednesday, Klopp revealed that the attacker’s injury was “pretty serious” and that he would be unable to represent the Selecao next month.
“I have bad news about Diogo. He will miss the World Cup due to a severe calf muscle injury. “This is very unfortunate news for the boy, as well as for us and Portugal,” Klopp said in his pre-match press conference.
“The initial diagnosis was clear, and it’s very unfortunate news for us.” We always look at [player welfare], and if we can consider things in terms of lineup, we will. We’re used to it, but we’ll need all of our energy again against West Ham.”
When asked about Jota’s recovery timetable, Klopp said the ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers player would take “months” to get back to full fitness, but he will not need surgery.
“It has a significant impact.” We can now say that he will be out for months because he will be out for a long time. We’ll see; I’m not going to put a number on it. “It will be a long time,” Klopp added.
“I always hope for good things to happen in rehab.” So far, he’s doing surprisingly well; he’s a smart boy, and he knew it when we carried him away. At that point, he realized it was serious and would have an impact on his World Cup hopes.”
When asked about Jota’s recovery timetable, Klopp said the ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers player would take “months” to get back to full fitness, but he will not need surgery.
“It has a significant impact.” We can now say that he will be out for months because he will be out for a long time. We’ll see; I’m not going to put a number on it. “It will be a long time,” Klopp added.
“I always hope for good things to happen in rehab.” So far, he’s doing surprisingly well; he’s a smart boy, and he knew it when we carried him away. At that point, he realized it was serious and would have an impact on his World Cup hopes.”
Jota’s summer was disrupted by a recurrence of a hamstring injury he sustained while on international duty with Portugal, forcing him to miss Liverpool’s Community Shield victory over Manchester City as well as the club’s first five Premier League games of the season.
Since joining Liverpool in 2020, the 25-year-old has contributed five assists in eight appearances during the 2022-23 season, bringing his total for the club to 34 goals and 14 assists in 93 games.
Jota’s long-term injury adds to Liverpool’s injury woes, who are also without Colombian attacker Luis Diaz until after the World Cup due to a knee injury.
Arthur, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ibrahima Konate, and Joel Matip are also out, with Konate suffering a new muscular problem before Sunday’s game.
Klopp added that the centre-back’s problem would likely keep him out for 10 days, while Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain have both recently participated in team training.
Jota started against Manchester City alongside Mohamed Salah, Harvey Elliott, and Roberto Firmino, and Fabio Carvalho could now take advantage of his teammates’ absences on the left flank, with Diaz unlikely to return before Boxing Day.
Liverpool are currently eighth in the Premier League table, but a win over West Ham could propel them to fifth.
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