Reuters, October 18 – Diogo Jota’s withdrawal from the World Cup in Qatar owing to a calf injury has delivered a setback to Portugal ahead of the tournament, according to Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp.
In the final seconds of Liverpool’s 1-0 Premier League victory over Manchester City, Jota, 25, was carried off on a stretcher.
“Yes, he will miss the World Cup. This is really bad news. A rather major calf muscle injury has occurred, and the healing process has begun.
Basically, that’s it,” added Klopp, noting that Jota wouldn’t need surgery.
“All the remaining items will now follow throughout the coming days. News that is really terrible for the boy, for us, and for Portugal. I’m not going to give it a time limit (his return). It will take a while.
Jota, who has scored 10 times in 29 appearances for Portugal, had only regained full fitness after missing the opening few weeks of the season due to a hamstring problem.
Klopp responded when asked how Jota had reacted to the news, “He’s remarkably okay so far, a smart guy and he understood it when we carried him off. Right then, he realised it.
After a heated exchange with the assistant referee during the victory against City, Klopp was banished to the stands, but the German manager plans to be in charge against West Ham United on Wednesday.
“Considering that nothing has occurred yet, I anticipate being there tomorrow.
A few hours before the game tomorrow, I don’t believe anything will happen “said he.
Ref Support UK, a charity that supports referees in grassroots football where abuse is frequent, criticised Klopp for his reaction. Pep Guardiola, the manager of City, was criticised for his actions as well.
Klopp continued, “I still feel like I should have handled the situation differently than I usually do.
“The whole game led to that a little bit.
It was a very, very heated game with many decisions made by both sides that we didn’t comprehend. Although I’m not pleased with how I responded, everyone could see it.
Liverpool are eighth in the league standings with 13 points from nine games, two points ahead of 12th-placed West Ham..
Injured Jota will miss the World Cup, according to Liverpool’s Klopp
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