Liverpool head coach Arne Slot says he expects to have Diogo Jota back fit and available around ‘one or two weeks’ after the international break.
Jota, 27, took a boot in the rib from Tosin Adarabioyo during Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Chelsea, with Darwin Nunez coming on in the forward’s place midway through the first half at Anfield.
The Portugal international has missed the club’s last five matches in all competitions as a result and will not return in time for the Premier League leaders’ clash with Aston Villa this weekend.
However, it appears Jota has made significant progress with his recovery and Slot is hopeful the attacker could return to action before the end of the month.
The Reds resume their top-flight campaign against lowly Southampton after the international break, ahead of what promises to be a thrilling Champions League contest with Real Madrid on Merseyside.
‘We expect him back after the break. The first weeks after the break,’ Slot told reporters when asked for an update on Jota this morning.
‘I always say there is privacy about the injury.
‘He will be back one or two weeks after the break.’
Looking ahead to Liverpool’s strategy for beating Villa tomorrow, Slot added: ‘If you ask me now, I say it is not that difficult [to form game-plan].
‘[Unai] Emery has almost the same formation but sometimes depend on the players. His style of play, his idea is always the same.
‘Saying this, that was the same with Xabi Alonso [against Bayer Leverkusen] but never once he came up with [Victor] Boniface as a left winger and no No.9. Maybe that’s a compliment?
‘Most managers think we have a good team so they change game-plan. I don’t expect Unai to change a lot but in terms of personnel he can change a bit like you said. Always 4-4-2 he’s played for many years now.’
It remains to be seen who will start at left-back against Villa, with Kostas Tsimikas given the nod over Andy Robertson for Liverpool’s last two games.
‘My line-ups tell you what I think. Two very good full-backs and we play many games,’ Slot continued.
‘Both need games, it’s a position where energy is needed.
‘There are multiple reasons why midfielders and full-backs are changed but that has a lot to do with the quality.
‘I have two very good left full-backs. Let’s see who starts on Saturday.’