Liverpool star Diogo Jota to miss World Cup as Jurgen Klopp confirms ‘sad news’
Diogo Jota will miss the World Cup through injury, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed.
Jota was forced off in the closing stages of Liverpool's 1-0 win over Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday, leaving the pitch on a stretcher. The Portuguese star looked concerned and put his hands on his head as he departed the action.
And his worst fears have now been realised following the news that he will miss the World Cup next month. Klopp revealed on Tuesday that the 25-year-old will be out for a "long time" and "we talk about months," crushing his dreams of playing in Qatar.
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"It’s really not good news about Diogo," Klopp announced. "Yes, he will miss the World Cup. [It’s a] pretty serious injury in the calf muscle and now the recovery process starts. That’s it pretty much.
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"That is the first diagnosis, which was pretty clear, and all the rest will now follow in the next few days.
"It is very sad news for the boy, and for us as well of course [and] for Portugal." Klopp did not offer any insight on when Liverpool supporters can expect to see Jota back in a Reds shirt, but he did confirm that it would be months, rather than weeks.
"[It will have a] big impact," he added. "So now we can say that because he will not be in for a long time; we talk about months.
"So, we will see. I don’t want to put now a number on it because I always hope in the middle of the rehab there is a very positive development and we can cut days off the rehab phase, but it will be long."
Questioned on how Jota had reacted to the devastating news that he would miss the World Cup, Klopp said: "It’s Diogo and he’s surprisingly OK, so far. He is an incredibly smart boy and very reflective."
Adding: "I think he knew it when we carried him off the pitch, when I spoke to him for a second. When I came out, we passed each other after the game and he explained what happened. I think in that moment he knew already it was a serious one and could be pretty impactful for his World Cup dreams."
Jota took to social media and said: "After such a good night at Anfield mine ended in the worst way! In the last minute one of my dreams collapsed."
Portugal will now have to do without Jota's services in Qatar as they attempt to negotiate their way through a group that contains Uruguay, Ghana and South Korea.
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