Diogo Jota may quickly be in competition to start out once more for Liverpool, although Arne Slot has warned the striker that “he’s in competitors with some particular gamers.”
Jota has come off the bench in every of the final 4 video games, having spent nearly two months out with a rib damage, however is but to be thought-about for a beginning place.
As a substitute, Slot has used each Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz up entrance, with the Portuguese taking part in simply 72 minutes in its place since his return.
He’s, nonetheless, nearing a return to full availability, with Slot explaining the state of affairs in his pre-West Ham press convention on Thursday.
“We’re nonetheless managing his health,” he advised reporters.
“He’s been out for fairly a very long time and he couldn’t practice that a lot. So typically if a participant has an damage they will do lots, however he couldn’t do lots for fairly a very long time.
“Since this league is so intense, it’s not really easy in the event you’re nearly two months out to return in and play from the beginning once more.
“It’s essential to have some minutes to construct this up – and he’s in competitors with another particular gamers as properly who’re at this second additionally on high of their sport.
“He’s step by step constructing it up. I believe he comes near beginning a sport, however like I stated he has competitors in his place as properly.”
It’s unlikely he’ll begin towards West Ham on Sunday, with it attainable that Slot restores Diaz to the No. 9 function with Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah in supreme type out large.
Two gamers who stay absent heading into the weekend are Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley, although the pinnacle coach has not dominated out their return towards Man United on January 5.
“They won’t be again for West Ham, however then there’s every week in between, so let’s see how shut they’re then,” Slot stated.
“It’s tough for me to inform you at this second, as a result of they don’t practice with the group but.
“However hopefully within the upcoming days they arrive nearer to that state of affairs.
“Ibou has been out for 5, six weeks perhaps, Conor simply as lengthy, and likewise for them they’re in competitors with gamers who’re fully match and are doing very well.
“I’ve to make the precise judgement the second they’re again with the staff.”
