Liverpool vs Norwich City: Diogo Jota will be unavailable

Liverpool key man and second top goal scorer this season Diogo Jota will not be available for Norwich City.

The Portuguese international who has scored 17 goals in all competitions this season had to be substituted off at half time against Inter Milan.

Manager Jurgen Klopp said: “We need further assessment. Some ligaments around the ankle. Everything is possible. It could go quick or the other way. We have to wait.”

Unfortunately for The Reds it looks like he will be a doubt for the League Cup final against Chelsea.

So, it is a slight worry however the squad depth should help out Klopp as he can pick Roberto Firmino to start after he changed the tie on Wednesday.

The Brazilian replaced Jota at half-time at the San Siro and scored the opening goal for Liverpool whilst also helping the attacks fluidity in the second half.

“Bobby is Bobby. If you knew him better, you’d be more positive about him. He’s an incredible person. When he’s in the mood, he helps the team massively. No players should think they won’t get minutes. He could be in the team each day” said Klopp.

Mohamed Salah could go through the middle with Luis Diaz on the wing with Sadio Mane on the other flank, as well as this Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino will be available so there is a lot of options for Klopp even with Jota’s injury.

Changes are expected to be made for Norwich City after how much the midweek Champions League game took out of them.

It was a prime example of digging deep and winning ugly, just like the Burnley result last weekend.

It would be no surprise to see captain Jordan Henderson come back in for a start after his impressive cameo off the bench against the Italian champions, also Joel Matip may come back in as he has been the preferred choice in the league to partner Virgil Van Dijk.

Lautaro Martinez saw Virgil van Dijk and forgot which way the goal ispic.twitter.com/WBEs0X4zqE
— The Tactical Times (@Tactical_Times) February 17, 2022

The German said: “I’m sure he (Henderson) would have expected to start. That was a perfect example of how to respond. Naby same, brilliant when he came on. Same Bobby, Luis. You can have best squad in the world but if players lose confidence when they don’t start you have problems.”

Liverpool have won their last seven which contrasts with The Canaries’ form as they are currently in the bottom three having just been beaten by Manchester City last weekend 4-0.

However before that Dean Smith’s side had gone four games unbeaten in the league to give themselves more of a chance of staying up.

Klopp had his say on the side that he will be welcoming to Anfield: “You know how much I like and respect Daniel Farke. He did an incredible job and then Dean came in. He’s had success because he is really good. Interesting signings from first day. It’s a really good footballing playing side.

“They never stop believing they can stay in the league. I admire that. You can see it in how they play. If you let them play, they play. If you give them a chance to get in behind your last line, they will go. We have to be everywhere 100%. We need a really good set-up.”

Dean Smith has been dealt a massive blow as he confirmed that striker Adam Idah will be out for the remainder of the season.

Tim Krul and Lukas Rupp could be back ready for selection however defender Andrew Omobamidele will not be ready as he has not been able to cope with the training load.

These two sides have already faced each other twice this season and by the end of the campaign they will have played each other four times as they play each other in the next round of the FA Cup.

In the reverse fixture on the first matchday of the campaign Liverpool defeated Daniel Farke’s side 3-0 with Jota, Firmino and Salah scoring.

If Salah manages to do that again he will score his 150^th goal for the club which would be a remarkable feat.

2️⃣3️⃣2️⃣ games
1️⃣4️⃣9️⃣ goals
5️⃣2️⃣ assists

Sensational, @MoSalah 👏 pic.twitter.com/v0fpf9k5GS
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 17, 2022

In the League Cup fixture between the two it was the same result but with Minamino and Origi getting the goals.

You have to go back 28 years for the last time Norwich beat Liverpool so it would understandably be a massive shock if they could pull off a victory on Saturday afternoon.

Liverpool vs Norwich City: Diogo Jota will be unavailable

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