On Saturday evening, Diogo Jota started his first match with Liverpool in four months, when he started attacking alongside Kodi Jakopo and Mohamed Salah away from home against Crystal Palace.
The striker is still waiting for his first goal of the season, in a season where he struggled with injuries. He started the season injured, after a hamstring injury carried over from the summer that caused him to miss the season.
He then suffered a serious calf muscle injury in a 1-0 win over Manchester City in mid-October, and had to be taken off the field in extra time. That injury kept him out of 17 matches, as well as the World Cup in Qatar.
In a new interview with Liverpoolfc.com The Portuguese talks about the injury.
– I had a strange calf injury. Most people told me that they had never seen such an injury, so we had to seek help from some professionals to overcome it. We had to give it a little more time to be sure, because it was so complicated. But yeah, it was a long, hard time, he says.
Frustrated not being able to help
During Jota’s absence, Liverpool struggled badly on the pitch. The Portuguese has now made three appearances and one start after returning two weeks ago.
– The results didn’t help either, so it was very disappointing to see the things that happened without being able to contribute and help in any way, except for conversations in the dressing room – but not on the field. It’s over now, I’m back, and I want to be available for the rest of the season. If I can help it, even better, says the 26-year-old.
On Wednesday, a match will be held against the old club, Wolverhampton. Jota felt fine in Saturday’s game, despite not having scored any goals.
I felt good throughout the game and had some chances in and around the penalty area. I just have to get my confidence back, and that will come with more minutes, so hopefully I can help the team with goals and assists, he says.
Liverpool – Wolverhampton plays on Wednesdays at 21.00, shown on TV3 + and Viaplay.
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