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.
Jota received a knock in the 2-1 Premier League win at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday but is set to play instead of Federico Chiesa, who arrived at training on Tuesday with an injury.
The Italian winger joined Liverpool from Juventus in August and grabbed an assist in the 5-1 League Cup third-round rout of West Ham United but will miss out on facing familiar opponents on Wednesday.
“It’s a shame for him because he was looking forward to a Champions League night at Anfield, and especially because we face an Italian team,” Slot told reporters. “How long is he out? It’s always difficult because it happened yesterday (Monday) but I am not expecting him to be out for a very long period of time.
“We will see if he can be in the team for Saturday (league match at Crystal Palace).”
Liverpool are off to a strong start in Slot’s first season in charge. They top the Premier League standings on 15 points, opened their Champions League campaign with a 3-1 win over AC Milan, and have booked their spot in the League Cup last 16.
“One of the reasons we can compete is we have a lot of quality. We have a lot of cohesion in the team. Those who 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 in filling the huge shoes left by former manager Juergen Klopp.
“He’s definitely an amazing manager. You can see how he’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 the players.”
Liverpool are back in the Champions League after a one-year absence and Slot hopes to see the hunger reflected in his team on Wednesday.“What I want 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 us.
‘Special night’
Girona have been hit by injury blows to Oriol Romeu and Daley Blind ahead of their home clash against Dutch side Feyenoord, but manager Michel insisted that his side will go all out to win on a special night for the club.
The duo picked up their respective injuries during Girona’s 1-1 La Liga draw at Celta Vigo on Sunday, with Spanish midfielder Romeu now facing approximately eight weeks on the sidelines while Blind is out for four weeks.
Having never qualified for Europe’s elite club competition in their 94-year history, Girona secured a place in the Champions League by finishing third in La Liga lastseason, just four years after being promoted to the Spanish top flight.
“It’s our new reality. We need to take it one game at a time,” Michel told reporters ahead of Wednesday’s game at the Estadi Montilivi.
“The midfield without Romeu is short-handed. But tomorrow, we need the best possible eleven to win.
“I’m especially worried about the psychological issue. Romeu didn’t play against Rayo Vallecano and got injured. The most important thing is that the head is fine. My concern is to go game by game and the team that plays will be the best possible.”
After going toe-to-toe with Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona for much of the last campaign, Girona are now being tested by the best sides in Europe and Michel acknowledged that it is a challenge to juggle domestic and continental duties.
“The pressure of playing La Liga and Champions League is difficult. We want to win because making history in the Champions League is a dream for us.”
