JURGEN KLOPP RALLIES LIVERPOOL FOR 'SUPER IMPORTANT' EVERTON CLASH AMID DIOGO JOTA BLOW

Liverpool have suffered a fresh injury blow amid the Premier League title race with Diogo Jota now ruled out for two weeks.

The Kop attacker just returned this month from a knee problem which kept him out since February in what is turning out to be an injury-plagued campaign for the Portugal forward. Jota, 27, came off the bench in three games and started the weekend win over Fulham, in which he scored his first goal since his return.

But ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Everton as Liverpool look to keep in the Premier League title race, Klopp has revealed Jota is now struggling with a hip injury.

He said: “Diogo scored the goal felt a little bit and now a bit more so he will be out for two weeks. I cannot really say a lot. He got a knock and felt a bit in the hip and that was then fine, we didn’t start him and then he started last game and it is a small one but we are late in the season, it is not a great moment.

“It is not a big one. Two weeks, pretty much nothing but enough to not be available.”

Jota will miss Wednesday’s Merseyside derby, Saturday’s trip to West Ham and then the Reds’ penultimate home game against Tottenham at the start of May. He should be fit to return for the final two games against Aston Villa away and Wolves at home.

Jota’s return had added an extra impetus to Liverpool’s front line after just one goal - a penalty from Mo Salah - in three games before Sunday’s 3-1 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage. Liverpool are currently second in the table as they trail Arsenal on goal difference while Manchester City are a point behind with a game in hand.

Klopp heads into his final Merseyside derby on Wednesday looking to keep the heat on their rivals. While the Toffees are battling to beat the drop and desperate to derail their neighbours.

Klopp has never lost at Goodison Park but has only won twice in seven visits there as Liverpool boss. He added: “Super important for us that is clear.

“They [Everton] have another home game at the weekend and their idea is to win all three [Everton beat Nottingham Forest on Sunday] and should be sorted.

“It is really important for us but we know about the importance definitely. Always difficult games especially there. At home more, we have a pretty good record, only Carlo Ancelotti, everyone knows is a pretty good manager, we lost against Carlo.

“It is not too important what we had in the past, we should give it a proper try.”

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2024-04-23T13:46:12Z dg43tfdfdgfd