DIOGO JOTA will miss the World Cup with a calf injury, Jurgen Klopp has confirmed.
The Portugal star was stretchered off during Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Manchester City on Sunday.
Jota, 25, looked devastated as he was taken off the Anfield turf.
And his fears have been realised, with Klopp admitting: “Not good news on Diogo. He will miss the World Cup.”;
The German then continued: “It will be months, I don’t want to put a number on it.”;
On how Jota has taken the news, Klopp was impressed with his player’s resilience.
He added: “He’s surprisingly okay so far, he’s a smart boy, very reflective, and I think he knew already when we carried him off the pitch.”;
Jota underwent scans on Monday, and Klopp also revealed that the forward will not need to undergo surgery.
Portugal take on Nigeria in their final World Cup warm-up match on November 17, before kicking off their tournament against Ghana a week later.
They are then set to face Uruguay on November 28 and South Korea on December 2.
In addition to being a blow for Portugal, Jota’s injury is also a worrying development for Reds boss Klopp.
Liverpool have eight more matches before the World Cup, and were already set to be without Colombian Luis Diaz who recently suffered a knee injury.
The Reds host West Ham tomorrow night, before a trip to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
A crunch Champions League trip to Ajax follows, ahead of a Prem clash with Leeds.
Liverpool then face a European meeting with Napoli and a tricky trip to Tottenham.
Then their final week before breaking for the World Cup sees them host Derby in the League Cup and host Southampton in the Premier League.
