Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has revealed Diogo Jota will miss Wednesday’s Merseyside derby against Everton after suffering a hip injury during Sunday’s win over Fulham.
Jota recently missed two months of action after suffering a knee injury in February, returning from the bench in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League tie against Atalanta – which they lost 3-0.
He also came on as a substitute in a 1-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace and a 1-0 victory in the second leg of the Atalanta tie, before making his first start since returning against Fulham on Sunday.
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Jota scored Liverpool’s third goal as they got their Premier League title challenge back on track with a 3-1 victory, but Klopp has now revealed he hurt himself while applying that finish and will miss around two weeks.
“Diogo scored the goal but then he felt something and we discovered it is a little bit more. He will be out for about two weeks,” Klopp said.
Asked for further details on the injury, Klopp said: “I cannot really say a lot about it, to be honest. He got a knock, a normal challenge, and felt it a little in his hip.
“He started the last game and was obviously okay, but he felt something. It’s a small one but we are late in the season.
“Now is not a good moment for any injury. When I say it’s two weeks, that is pretty much nothing, but it’s obviously enough to be unavailable.”
Jürgen Klopp has explained Diogo Jota will be out for around a fortnight after suffering an injury at Fulham last weekend.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) APRIL 23, 2024
Wednesday’s game at Goodison Park will be Klopp’s final Merseyside derby at the helm, and it’s a huge match at both ends of the Premier League table as Liverpool chase the title and Everton battle for survival.
Five of the last six derbies at Goodison have been drawn, and Klopp believes Everton tend to raise their game for this fixture.
Asked what made travelling to Everton difficult, he said: “It’s the intensity. Goodison Park can create a good atmosphere as well, that’s how it is.
“I think for the players, if you play against Liverpool, it’s about much more than three points, that’s how everybody sees it there.
“We will never get underestimated there, whatever situation we are in. There have been some great stories, definitely, but none of them are important for this game.”
