Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has delivered a fitness update ahead of Premier League clash with Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday

Diogo Jota has been sidelined since picking up an injury in Liverpool's win over Chelsea at Anfield(Image: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Diogo Jota faces missing out on Liverpool's blockbusting Anfield double header against Real Madrid and Manchester City as he continues to struggle for fitness.

Jota has been absent since suffering an impact injury to his upper body when fallen on by Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo during the Reds' 2-1 home Premier League win on October 20.

The striker had initially been expected to be back immediately after the forthcoming international break, with Liverpool travelling to Southampton on November 24 before entertaining Champions League holders Real Madrid and Premier League champions City in the next week.

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But Jota, who has already missed five games and will sit out Saturday evening's Premier League visit of Aston Villa, is now in danger of not returning until the early December visits to Newcastle United and Everton.

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"We expect him back after the international break," said Liverpool head coach Arne Slot on Friday.

"Now, after the international break is six or seven months (of the season) to go!

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"He will be back one or two weeks after the international break."

With Jota sidelined, Slot has been mixing and matching his options in central attack.

Darwin Nunez has started three games and scored the winner in the Champions League at RB Leipzig, Luis Diaz netted a hat-trick when beginning down the middle in Tuesday's 4-0 home romp over Bayer Leverkusen while Liverpool went with no recognised number nine for the League Cup win at Brighton.

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Alisson Becker, Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa will also not be back available until after the international break, although no comeback date has been set for any of the trio.


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