Jota Sidelined: Liverpool's Injury Concerns Deepen

Liverpool forward Diogo Jota is anticipated to be out of action until after the upcoming international break, as the Portuguese player continues his recovery from an injury he sustained during the Reds' win over Chelsea earlier this month. Jota had been performing exceptionally well, scoring four goals this season, but his absence will be significant as Liverpool gears up for their Carabao Cup match against Brighton on Wednesday.

Manager Arne Slot stated that Jota will be absent not only for the cup match but also for important league games, including the Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund and a Premier League match with Aston Villa. Additionally, midfielder Harvey Elliott, who has only played once this season due to a fractured foot, is also out until late November. On a more positive note, Conor Bradley is expected to be back for the match against Brighton.

Slot discussed the continuous challenges faced by Italian forward Federico Chiesa, who has been struggling with injury issues. "He experiences ups and downs, so sometimes he's with us training for a few days, and then he's out again due to injury," Slot explained. He stressed the importance of avoiding setting a specific timeline for Chiesa's recovery, stating, "We need to ensure he gets in the best possible shape without any pressure."

The Liverpool manager dismissed the idea of Chiesa possibly going on loan back to Italy in January, emphasizing the priority on his fitness. "It's been challenging so far, but I am fully confident that we will find the right approach to enhance his fitness without overburdening him," Slot added.

Reflecting on the squad depth, Slot observed that he would not repeat the extensive changes that were made in the previous League Cup match against West Ham, where they secured a 5-1 victory. 'We’ve got some injuries, so we may not have enough players to change them all,' he stated, highlighting the necessity of carefully considering the lineup.

Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo is set to play, with his only start this season having been against West Ham. Slot commended Endo's attitude and professionalism, noting his readiness to contribute whenever needed, even in short appearances. 'I really liked him against West Ham. He deserves to play tomorrow because he always supports the team,' Slot concluded, highlighting the importance of squad unity as they deal with injury challenges.