Jurgen Klopp Provides Update On Diogo Jota Recovery

The boss also revealed that Joel Matip could be fit to face
Manchester United.

It is a testament to the impact Diogo Jota has had in the 17
matches he has played since signing for Liverpool that his absence
has already been sorely missed.

The Portuguese international has veritably flew out of the
blocks after arriving late in the summer transfer
window, scoring five goals in his first eight league games
including winners against Sheffield United and West Ham as well as
bagging a majestic Champions
League hat trick against Atalanta.

Appearing primarily from the bench, the 23-year-old had been the
one to provide the spark when needed this season up until he
sustained a knee injury in a December 1-1 Champions League draw against Midtjylland.

Liverpool manager, Jürgen Klopp provided an injury update for
the winger in the Aston Villa
FA Cup pre-match press conference:

“It will still take time, he is still wearing a brace, so that
means he is still a few weeks away from team training,” Klopp said
of Jota’s recovery.

“There is nothing really to say, it takes time. There was no
surgery needed, which was good, but it was a proper injury.

“It is not a little knock or something; no, no, and it will
still take time. There is no real timeframe there.”

Although the Reds have done well at times in Jota’s
absence—knocking Tottenham from the league summit in a rousing 2-1
victory before banging seven past Crystal Palace—the reigning
league champions have also dropped points against relegation
strugglers Fulham, West Brom and Newcastle.

It is a barren run for the Reds feared attack that has seen them
fail to score for the longest period under Klopp, leading to a mere
two points gained in the Premier League of the last nine
available.

A knock to the Joël Matip has not helped, with the Cameroonian
the only senior specialist center back in the squad following
long-term injuries to Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez. The
oft-injured Matip has been out since pulling up injured in the West
Brom match.

Originally projected to miss up to three weeks of action,
the Reds boss instead revealed that the 29-year-old was recovering
ahead of schedule and could even be fit for next week’s top of the
table clash with rivals Manchester
United.

“Yes, we will try working on that obviously,” the German
continued regarding Matip’s recovery schedule. “Until the United
game we still have nine days around about, so we try.

“He is in a good way but if it will be United or a few days
later, I don’t know. After the United game we will obviously play
every three days again, so I think that’s pretty sure, but for the
United game, we will see.”

Neither player, however, will be available for selection for
today’s Aston Villa clash, as the Reds expect to face a
U23 squad following a coronavirus outbreak at the Villa
training facility.