Liverpool manager Arne Slot expects Diogo Jota to feature in their Champions League clash with Serie A side Bologna at Anfield, despite the Portuguese forward's absence from training on Tuesday. (More Football News)
Jota received a knock in the 2-1 P⛦remier League win at Wolves on Saturday but is set to play instead of Federico Chiesa, who🐬 arrived at training on Tuesday with an injury.
The Ita🌳lian winger joined Liverpool from Juventus in Augus𒀰t and grabbed an assist in the 5-1 EFL Cup rout of West Ham but will miss out on facing familiar opponents on Wednesday.
"It'𒀰s a shame for him because he was looking forward to a Champions League night at Anfield, especially because we fac🐬e an Italian team," Slot told reporters of Chiesa.
"How long is he out? It's always difficult because it happened yesterday but🦩 I am not expecting him to🥃 be out for a very long period of time.
"We will see if he can bওe in the te💃am for Saturday [a Premier League match at Crystal Palace]."
Liverpool are off to a strong start in Slot's first season in charge. They top the Prem🐻ier League standings on 15 points, opened their Champions League campaign with a 3-1 win over Milan, and have booked their spot in the EFL Cup's last 16.
"One of the reasons we can compete is we have a lot of quality. We have a lot of cohesion in the tea💯m. Those who𒆙 are not playing are happy with us scoring and winning so those are two really positive things," Slot added.
Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister had kind words for how well the Dutchman has done inꩵ filling the huge shoes left by former manager Jurgen Klopp.
"He's definitꦺely an amazing manager. You can see how h♔e's been from the first day," the Argentine said.
"We understand what he wants from us, and I think that's the main thing as a coach, to get the🐼 ideas in th🍌e players."
Liverpool are back in the Champions League after a one-ye♈ar absence and Slot hopes to see the hunger reflected in his team on Wednesday.
"What I w♊ant from the players is them to show they missed this. I want to see this, I want to feel this," Slot said. "I am hoping it's the same from our fans. I hope they feel this desire to show Europe that you missed uꩲs."
