LIVERPOOL boss Arne Slot has confirmed that Diogo Jota will miss their Premier League game with Arsenal on Sunday.
After being substituted just half-an-hour into last weekend’s game against Chelsea, Slot has revealed that Jota suffered a chest injury when defender Tosin Adarabioyo fell on top of him during a challenge.
The Portuguese forward did not travel with his teammates to Germany midweek as Liverpool beat RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League, and he will be absent for the Reds’ trip to North London along with winger Federico Christa and, potentially, right-back Connor Bradley.
The Liverpool boss said during today’s press conference: “They feel good but not when it comes to playing for us during the weekend.
“Federico [Chiesa] might train with us today or tomorrow, Diogo [Jota] definitely not and let’s see if Conor Bradley can be with us tomorrow.”
This will be a huge blow for Liverpool as Jota’s form against Arsenal is nothing short of exceptional, with the 27-year-old scoring seven and assisting two in 11 games for the Reds against the Gunners.
Before this weekend’s fixtures, Liverpool sit top of the table and four points ahead Mikel Arteta’s men, with Slot recognising just how important this meeting will be come the end of the season.
He said: “Nobody knows at this early stage who will be your biggest competitor, but we all know that Arsenal will be one of them, so dropping or winning points against them is always important.
“It’s difficult to win an away game at Arsenal or Manchester City, or all the other ones, but it’s something we are trying on Sunday, definitely.”
