Diogo Jota out for rest of the season as Liverpool forward suffers foot injury

Diogo Jota out for rest of the season as Liverpool forward suffers foot injury
By The Athletic Staff
May 16, 2021

Diogo Jota has been ruled out for the rest of Liverpool's season due to a foot injury.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed Jota would miss Sunday's fixture against West Brom and the club's remaining league games due to an issue picked up during the club's 4-2 win against Manchester United on Thursday.

Jota has been replaced by Sadio Mane in the starting line-up at the Hawthorns, as Liverpool continue their late rally for Champions League qualification. The club have two more Premier League fixtures remaining — against Burnley on Wednesday and Crystal Palace next Sunday.

There is, as it stands, no indication as to whether he will miss Portugal's Euro 2020 campaign.

What has been said?

In his pre-match interview, Klopp said Jota had not done significant damage to his foot but would be unavailable for Liverpool's remaining games — with just a week left to play.

“No good thing without a bad thing – so, we won at Manchester United but Diogo got something with the bone,” Klopp told Sky Sports.

“Not too serious but serious enough to end the season. That’s it.”

While his absence will be a blow for Liverpool, Portugal will be hoping Jota will be able to make a full recovery ahead of their opening Euro 2020 fixture against Hungary on June 15.

How has Jota performed this season?

Despite missing over two months with a knee injury, Jota has been an electrifying presence in Liverpool's attack since his move from Wolverhampton Wanderers last summer.

His pace and movement, often from the left of Liverpool's front three, has been a positive for Jurgen Klopp's side in an otherwise underwhelming campaign.

The forward has also showcased his goalscoring prowess when given the opportunity. His equalising effort in the mid-week victory at Manchester United was his ninth Premier League goal of the campaign, matching his previous highest total from two seasons ago.

Overall, Jota has scored 13 goals in 29 appearances for Liverpool this season.

What happened in Liverpool's game against West Brom?

Liverpool beat West Brom 2-1 in stunning fashion after goalkeeper Alisson scored the winner deep into injury time.

In the 15th minute, Hal Rabson-Kanu coolly slotted home to give West Brom the lead and open his account for the season.

Liverpool gradually strengthened their foothold in the game and Mo Salah’s instinctive finish from the edge of the area found the bottom corner to level the scoreline later in the half.

Salah’s equaliser, his 23rd goal of the season, took him back level with Tottenham’s Harry Kane in the Premier League goalscoring charts.

West Brom thought they had taken the lead in the second half through Kyle Bartley, although his effort was ruled out for offside.

Liverpool probed for a winner and it ultimately came from the most unlikeliest of sources in the dying embers of the match.

A 94th-minute corner was curled into the box, and the Brazilian keeper leaped higher than everyone else to nod the ball into the far right corner to give Liverpool a stunning victory.

(Photo: Michael Regan/Getty Images)

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