---
title: "Virals: Diogo Jota ‘sent home early’ from international duty"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/virals-diogo-jota-sent-home-early-from-international-duty/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2021-10-12T16:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-10-12T16:00:00Z"
---

# Virals: Diogo Jota ‘sent home early’ from international duty

[Liverpool](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/10/12/virals-liverpool-interested-in-belgian-wonderkid-charles-de-ketelaere/) face continued concern over the fitness of Portuguese forward [Diogo Jota](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/10/11/virals-diogo-jota-could-return-to-liverpool-amidst-injury-fears/).

The 24-year-old had been away on international duty with Portugal but [training alone](https://www.goal.com/en/news/jota-injury-scare-liverpool-portugal/1r06z9eub0lqe1hiabnk7w1ta4) due to what has been described as a ‘slight’ injury.

Now, as reported by [The Athletic](https://theathletic.com/news/liverpools-diogo-jota-sent-home-early-from-portugal-duty/xtwqICRdDAKa?source=twitteruk), the Reds’ star has been ‘dismissed’ from national team duty ahead of schedule in order to continue treatment.

> NEWS | Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has been sent home early from Portugal duty due to a slight issue… [#LFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/LFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [https://t.co/ttDFfBNOZQ](https://t.co/ttDFfBNOZQ)
>
> — The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) [October 12, 2021](https://twitter.com/TheAthleticFC/status/1447892936310538240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

The report claims that the [21-cap](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/diogo-jota/nationalmannschaft/spieler/340950/verein_id/3300) ace is now a ‘risk’ for the trip to Watford in the Premier League on Saturday (October 16).

Elsewhere there is a more positive outlook for influential right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold as a report from [The Telegraph](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2021/10/12/liverpools-red-list-frustrations-grow-tottenham-will-have-south/?utm_content=football&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1634040231) claims that the 22-year-old is likely to be involved at Vicarage Road.

> Trent Alexander-Arnold will return to Liverpool’s match day squad for the trip to Vicarage Road this weekend 🔥🔥🔥\
> \
> \[[@TelegraphSport](https://twitter.com/TelegraphSport?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)\]
>
> — Watch LFC (@Watch\_LFC) [October 12, 2021](https://twitter.com/Watch_LFC/status/1447899223878418436?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Prior to being ruled out due to a groin issue, Alexander-Arnold had provided [three assists in six appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/trent-alexander-arnold/leistungsdaten/spieler/314353) across all competitions.

### READ LIVERPOOL VERDICT

Jurgen Klopp will have everything crossed that Jota can be fit and available for the [trip to Watford](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/match/2021-22/men/fixtures-and-results) – now under the stewardship of Claudio Ranieri.

Despite the return to fitness of Roberto Firmino, the Portuguese forward has been a [revelation since arriving](https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/jota-impact-liverpool-similar-salah-klopp-headache-aldridge/1ixdq112s4wu9z9kenig0uy58) on Merseyside and has often been the chosen starter in recent times.

In the potential absence of the former Wolves man, Klopp may turn to [Takumi Minamino or Divock Origi](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/norwich-vs-liverpool-result-carabao-cup-2021-minamino-origi-b956583.html) to fill the rotational void at the very least.

Meanwhile, the likely availability of the [£67.5million valued](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/trent-alexander-arnold/marktwertverlauf/spieler/314353) Alexander-Arnold could see James Milner return to a more familiar midfield role to supplement the loss of Fabinho.