Liverpool's injury crisis took a turn for the worse with the news that Diogo Jota has reportedly been ruled out for two busy months of the season.
The in-form Portuguese forward picked up a knee injury in the Champions League game against Midtjylland in midweek. Jurgen Klopp had originally refused to rule Jota out of Reds' trip to Fulham this weekend - but apparently it's yet more bad news for the Liverpool boss.
According to Portuguese media outlet Record, the LFC No 20 will be out of action for the next two months.
That means the Reds will need to rely heavily on Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino during the Christmas and January period when domestic games come thick and fast.
Advert
Jota has been in terrific form since joining the Premier League champions from Wolves for an estimated £41 million fee in September.
The 24-year-old Portugal international has netted nine goals in 17 games and seemed to have forced his way into Klopp's first-choice XI, dislodging Brazil striker Firmino from Liverpool's famous attacking trident.
It's a fresh injury blow for Liverpool who've lost first-choice central defenders Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez to long-term injuries and been without first-choice goalkeeper Alisson for periods of this season.
Advert
Thiago Alcantara, Xherdan Shaqiri and James Milner will also be missing at Fulham on Sunday. It's meant the Reds have had to rely on several younger squad members in big games, such as 22-year-old keeper Caoimhin Kelleher and teenage full-back Neco Williams.
Now, Klopp will reportedly be without Jota for up to 13 matches, taking him right up to a crunch Premier League tie against Manchester City at the start of February 2021.
Poor Jurgen: he must literally dread the news every time his phone rings.
Advert
All imagery: PA Images
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Liverpool, Football News, Football, Diogo Jota, Premier League