All eyes will be on Jurgen Klopp on Sunday as he takes charge of Liverpool for the final time.
The Reds are set to enter a brand new era under Arne Slot, but first there’s the small matter of saying farewell to their greatest manager of the modern age.
It’s going to be an emotional occasion at Anfield. Liverpool would have prepared to be still in with a shot at the Premier League title, but with nothing on the line, full focus can be on waving Klopp off.
On the pitch though, a game still needs to be played. And with third place now secured, the Reds will be intent on making the manager’s 491st and final game a win.
According to the Liverpool ECHO however, they’re likely going to have to do so without at least one big player.
Diogo Jota looking likely to miss Wolves match
Whichever way you look at it, 2023/24 has been an injury hit season for Liverpool. Pretty much every member of the first-team squad has been out with some issue or other during the campaign.
Inevitably, this will now carry on into the final game of the season as well.
We already knew that both Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara would miss the game with long-term issues. With both coming up to the end of their contracts, they’ll likely be given a farewell on Sunday, too.
Otherwise, the ECHO report that Diogo Jota is likely to be missing through injury, too. The 27-year-old has only played four times since being stretchered off at Brentford on February 17th.
There had been hope that Jota would be ready to return before the end of the season. However, it’s claimed that it’s ‘looking increasingly unlikely’ that the Portugal international will play again this term.
Finally, Ben Doak is another to remain side-lined. The 18-year-old is another to have had his campaign decimated through injury.
Diogo Jota injury issue continue
Jota has had an incredibly frustrating couple of years with Liverpool. Although he’s lethal on his day, the Reds just can’t count on him to stay fit.
The most annoying thing about Jota’s propensity for fitness issues this season is that when he’s been fit, he’s been fantastic. As Jurgen Klopp said in February, his No.20 is a ‘really special’ footballer.
Take this term for example. 15 goals in 32 appearances is a great record for someone who isn’t always a nailed-on starter. The signs were there that Jota was in for another 20+ season.
But just as they have in the past, injuries have cut the former Wolves man down. He won’t get the chance to score against his old team on Sunday.
Going forward, there’s surely no chance that Jota isn’t at Liverpool next season. Let’s hope he can stay fit and continue firing under Arne Slot.
