Diogo Jota may quickly be in rivalry 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 virtually two months out with a rib harm, however is but to be thought of for a beginning place.
As an alternative, Slot has used each Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz up entrance, with the Portuguese taking part in simply 72 minutes instead since his return.
He’s, nevertheless, nearing a return to full availability, with Slot explaining the scenario 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 generally if a participant has an harm they will do quite a bit, however he couldn’t do quite a bit for fairly a very long time.
“Since this league is so intense, it’s not really easy for those who’re virtually two months out to come back in and play from the beginning once more.
“You have to have some minutes to construct this up – and he’s in competitors with another particular gamers as nicely who’re at this second additionally on high of their recreation.
“He’s steadily constructing it up. I feel he comes near beginning a recreation, however like I stated he has competitors in his place as nicely.”
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 kind out vast.
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 scenario.
“Ibou has been out for 5, six weeks possibly, 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 proper judgement the second they’re again with the workforce.”
