Liverpool are reportedly expected to be without key attacker Diogo Jota for this weekend’s crucial Premier League clash with Arsenal.
Arne Slot can do no wrong at the moment, winning 11 of his first 12 matches as Reds manager and impressing so much since replacing Jurgen Klopp.
One thing that is threatening to become an issue is injuries, however, even if Liverpool haven’t been as riddled as much as in recent seasons.
Alisson and Harvey Elliott are long-term fitness victims, with neither expected to return until nearer Christmas, while Jota missed the 1-0 win away to RB Leipzig with a rib problem.
Federico Chiesa has also been absent, due in part to him still getting up to speed at his new club.
According to Football Insider, Jota isn’t expected to be fit in time for Sunday’s trip to Arsenal, in what is Slot’s biggest test in charge to date.
The Portuguese hasn’t recovered from the rib injury suffered at home to Chelsea last Sunday, leaving Liverpool without arguably their best finisher for a massive occasion.
Our thoughts on Jota missing Arsenal vs. Liverpool clash…
Jota is such a huge miss for this game, given his aforementioned ruthlessness in front of goal and ability to take half-chances and bury them.
Admittedly, the 27-year-old hasn’t exactly made a flying start to this season, but he still has two goals and assists apiece to his name across seven Premier League appearances.
It means that Darwin Nunez will likely lead the line again for Liverpool this weekend, with the Uruguayan’s performances against Chelsea and Leipzig proving to be impressive.
The 25-year-old has been a busy presence in both matches, scoring the only goal in Germany on Wednesday evening, and this will be a great chance for him to show Slot that he is worth persevering with beyond this season.
A potentially feisty game means that Nunez could be in the thick of the action, and he needs to make sure his temperament doesn’t get the better of him.
Meanwhile, Slot has to choose between Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo on the left wing on the opposite flank to Mohamed Salah, with the former arguably the favourite to get the nod, having not started either of the last two games.
