Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Diogo Jota is still a few weeks away from returning to the fold as he continues his comeback from a Diogo Jota.
The Portuguese ace had been pictured back in training recently and there was cautious optimism that he could be back playing sooner rather than later.
However, speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of what is set to be a tough trip to Leicester tomorrow, Klopp confirmed that the 24-year-old, who made nine Premier League appearances this season prior to his injury, is still some weeks away from being part of his plans (via James Pearce).
Twitter: Klopp on Jota: “Diogo is close but not as close as Naby.”
Says it will be “2 to 3 weeks maybe” before he’s available. #LFC (@JamesPearceLFC)
Naby Keita is another Red who has been sidelined since before Christmas and, like Jota, Klopp doesn’t expect to have the Guinean midfielder ready for another while yet.
The Reds could really use their squad resembling full strength as soon as possible, with a battle to stay in the top four seemingly now on the cards as well as a return to Champions League action next week.
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Liverpool can’t catch a break this season in terms of injuries. Just as it seems the squad is beginning to potentially have some strength in depth, another one or two key players go down.
Jota’s absence, in particular, has been felt hard by the Reds, with his goals in the early weeks of the season a huge boost alongside the output of the usually formidable front three.
Since his layoff, that trio have been playing almost relentlessly when fit and that must have been a contributing factor towards their occasional dips in performance.
