Diogo Jota OUT of World Cup 2022 after Liverpool and Portugal star is stretchered off pitch vs Man City with calf injury
DIOGO JOTA will miss the World Cup with a calf injury, Jurgen Klopp has confirmed.
The Portugal star was stretchered off during Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Manchester City on Sunday.
Jota, 25, looked devastated as he was taken off the Anfield turf.
And his fears have been realised, with Klopp admitting: “Not good news on Diogo. He will miss the World Cup.”
The German then continued: “It will be months, I don’t want to put a number on it.”
On how Jota has taken the news, Klopp was impressed with his player’s resilience.
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He added: “He’s surprisingly okay so far, he’s a smart boy, very reflective, and I think he knew already when we carried him off the pitch.”
Jota underwent scans on Monday, and Klopp also revealed that the forward will not need to undergo surgery.
Portugal take on Nigeria in their final World Cup warm-up match on November 17, before kicking off their tournament against Ghana a week later.
They are then set to face Uruguay on November 28 and South Korea on December 2.
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In addition to being a blow for Portugal, Jota’s injury is also a worrying development for Reds boss Klopp.
Liverpool have eight more matches before the World Cup, and were already set to be without Colombian Luis Diaz who recently suffered a knee injury.
The Reds host West Ham tomorrow night, before a trip to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
A crunch Champions League trip to Ajax follows, ahead of a Prem clash with Leeds.
Liverpool then face a European meeting with Napoli and a tricky trip to Tottenham.
Then their final week before breaking for the World Cup sees them host Derby in the League Cup and host Southampton in the Premier League.