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Topics: Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah, Liverpool
Robert Worthington
Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has picked up a thigh injury on international duty with Portugal, a national team statement confirms.
The 25-year-old had been complaining to Portuguese medical team staff prior to the final whistle being blown during Portugal’s 1-0 loss against Switzerland. Post-match medical examinations confirmed Jota’s concerns highlighting an injury in the thigh area.
The injury raises further questions regarding player welfare. The Liverpool forward is one of a number of players to have picked up an injury on international duty in recent weeks. Jota’s club teammate Mo Salah sustained an injury to his groin whilst representing Egypt against Guinea last week.
And now everyone is asking themselves the same question. Why on earth are footballers being asked to play at the moment? Off the back of a long and grueling season, these guys need a rest. Yet, they’re being asked to play in relatively meaningless games, with many footballers playing through the pain barrier.
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Regarding the Nations League, UEFA argue these games need to be played. They’re only being played at this moment in time as a result of fixture backlog caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, one suspects fans wouldn’t be too phased if the Nations League was scrapped this season.
Jota and Salah will be hoping to be back fighting fit by the time pre-season comes around for Liverpool. The Reds face their first pre-season opponents in the form of Manchester United in less than a month as they face Manchester United in Thailand on 12th July. The pair will want to be given the chance to impress amid the arrival of €85 million man Darwin Nuñez.
There are starting places up for grabs at Liverpool, especially in forward areas, and it would be a shame if certain players aren’t given the opportunity to fight for them due to being overplayed. Time and time again, it is evident that football federations do not care about player welfare.