Liverpool could be without striker Diogo Jota when the Premier League leaders take on Brentford on Saturday.
Jota scored 22 seconds after coming off the bench at Nottingham Forest in midweek, with his header securing a point for Arne Slot’s side.
Liverpool go into the weekend with a four-point cushion over Arsenal but could have to do without the Portuguese forward.
Slot said: “There is no doubt about his [Jota] importance for us but he wasn’t training, so we have to see today where he is.
Arne Slot has confirmed we will assess the fitness of Diogo Jota to determine whether he can be involved in Saturday’s trip to Brentford ⤵️
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 17, 2025
“It’s not sure he is available tomorrow, we’ll see today. He felt a little bit when he came in, a niggle during the half-hour he came on at Forest. He finished the game but complained a bit about it. We’ll see for tomorrow.”
Brentford have a fine record for scoring early goals this season and Liverpool have conceded the first goal in five of their last seven Premier League games.
Slot says he expects the second half of the season to be more difficult and pointed to Southampton’s display in their eventual defeat at Manchester United on Thursday as proof of what lies in store for the leading sides.
“This season shows the strength of the Premier League,” he said.
“It was quite a surprise to see Southampton go toe to toe with Manchester United for so long, so it’s harder to win in the second half of the season than the first.
“The teams are longer together, others bring players in and teams are fighting for Europe, titles, to stay in the league; Brentford is an example of a team who were already strong in the first half.
“They have been a very good team for a few years now. They have shown that.”
Young forward Jayden Danns impressed from the bench during the FA Cup win over Accrington Stanley and is one player who has been linked with a loan move away from Anfield this month.
Slot says he has plenty to consider about the 19-year-old’s future.
He said: “I think you take a lot of things into account when you want to loan someone, is it good for the player? Yes or no. Do we still need him?
“We have two or three for No.9 and we don’t expect Jota to be out long. Hopefully we see him on the pitch soon
“Jayden has done well when he has come in, so we have four options and we need to make the right decisions.”
