Arne Slot confirms huge Liverpool injury blow ahead of RB Leipzig clash
- Arne Slot could be without a key player in the Champions League
- Diogo Jota forced off against Chelsea and considered a major doubt
- Darwin Nunez most likely to replace Portuguese against RB Leipzig
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed that forward Diogo Jota is unlikely to be available for this week's Champions League meeting with RB Leipzig in Germany.
Jota was withdrawn only half an hour into Liverpool’s Premier League win over Chelsea on Sunday after an early tangle with Tosin Adarabioyo. He was replaced by Darwin Nunez, who could get the nod to start in the Portuguese’s absence.
"Diogo had to be substituted and I am not sure what it is, but I’d be surprised if he is there on Wednesday," Slot explained after the match at Anfield.
"I have a lot of confidence in this team, but you also saw, after the international break, that we have some problems. Conor Bradley is not in, Trent [Alexander-Arnold] was also not training in the first days after he came back, so he was a bit of a doubt. Then we had [Alexis Mac Allister] being sick."
Liverpool won the game thanks to Curtis Jones putting them 2-1 ahead shortly after Nicolas Jackson cancelled out Mohamed Salah's first half penalty. But potentially being without Jota against Leipzig is a blow given that he has tended to be Slot's preferred 'number nine' this season.
The 27-year-old hasn't been prolific in the Premier League, scoring only two goals in seven appearances, but he has also provided two assists and gives the attacking unit shape.
The only league game Jota hasn't started this season saw Nunez get the nod against Bournemouth, netting in the 3-0 victory. The Uruguayan was also in from the start when Jota dropped to the bench in matchday two of the Champions League against Bologna.
Slot also has compatriot Cody Gakpo at his disposal. But while he often played centrally under Jurgen Klopp, Gakpo has primarily operated from the left so far this season.
Caoimhin Kelleher will continue in goal in Alisson's latest injury absence, with Harvey Elliott still unavailable and Federico Chiesa not part of the squad against Chelsea.
Liverpool have been among the pacesetters in the new Champions League, one of seven clubs to win both games so far, but fifth in the standings by virtue of a few others having a better goal difference. Leipzig, who have faced Atletico Madrid and Juventus, are in the point-less bottom eight.
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