Liverpool forward Diogo Jota to miss the World Cup with injury

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Liverpool forward Diogo Jota will miss the World Cup due to a serious calf injury.

The Portugal international was taken off on a stretcher in the closing stages of Sunday’s win over Manchester City at Anfield and a scan has confirmed the club’s worst fears.

Jota will not require surgery but he won’t play again until the new year.

“It’s not good news on Diogo. He will miss the World Cup,” confirmed Jurgen Klopp.

“It is very sad news for the boy, and for us as well of course and for Portugal. It will have a big impact.

“He will not be in for a long time, we’re talking about months. I don’t want to put a number on it because I always hope in the middle of the rehab there is a very positive development and we can cut some days off.”

The Athletic revealed on Monday that Jota was due for a scan and that he was facing the heartache of sitting out the tournament in Qatar. Portugal begin their campaign against Ghana on November 24 before facing Uruguay and South Korea in group H.

Jota’s injury is also a significant blow to Liverpool. He will now miss their five Premier League games before the tournament kicks off, their two remaining Champions League group stage games and their Carabao Cup tie against Derby County.

Asked how the 25-year-old had reacted to the news, Klopp added: “It’s Diogo and he’s surprisingly okay so far. He is an incredibly smart boy and very reflective. I think he knew it when we carried him off the pitch. I think in that moment he knew already it was a serious one and could be pretty impactful for his World Cup dreams.”

There was some good news on the injury front ahead of Wednesday’s visit of West Ham with Klopp revealing that long-term absentees Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita are among those closing in on a return.

Ibrahima Konate, who missed the win over City due to an adductor issue, is expected to return to team training this weekend. Summer signing Calvin Ramsay is now fully fit and set to play for Liverpool Under-21s against Everton on Saturday.

“Curtis Jones looks really good in training but needs further training until he’s really available. He could be a step closer now but didn’t train yesterday so maybe half a step closer,” says Klopp.

“Oxlade is getting closer, yesterday full team training but that needs time. We have to make sure that he can put all the sessions in his legs which he needs. Naby is now in parts of team training. Joel (Matip) is still a little bit away.”