DIOGO JOTA looked devastated as he was taken off on a stretcher at Brentford – after being stamped on by his own team-mate.
The Liverpool forward, 27, collided with Alexis Mac Allister as they both went in for a challenge on Bees skipper Christian Norgaard just before half-time in the 4-1 Premier League win in West London.
The Argentine World Cup winner accidentally caught Jota with a stray boot before Norgaard fell heavily on his legs.
The Portuguese ace was too badly injured to continue and had to be carried off in distressing scenes.
But Jurgen Klopp was able to turn to Mo Salah from the Liverpool bench with the fit-again Egyptian a more than able replacement.
The Jota injury blow came just minutes after Curtis Jones limped off – just eight days before the Carabao Cup final.
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And the pair were both spotted leaving the stadium on crutches – with Jota’s left knee in a brace and Jones wearing a protective boot on his left foot.
Klopp – unhappy with some of the Brentford tackles – is already without Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alisson and Thiago all at risk of missing the date with Chelsea at Wembley.
And fans online quickly expressed their disappointment.
One said: “Always battling against it with injuries. Competing in four competitions is hard enough with a fully fit squad, never mind with four key players out!”
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Another wrote: “Injuries to Szoboszlai, Jota, Jones, Alisson, Thiago, and Alexander-Arnold in the space of two weeks when we’re back in all four competitions within the next few weeks?”
A third added: “Liverpool don’t need any more of this.”
A fourth commented: “DIOGO JOTA OUT INJURED TOOO?!?! I might turn off the TV.”
A fifth replied: “Jota now injured and being stretchered off. When will our luck with injuries change?”
And a final user responded: “So disheartening to see two Liverpool players who have had some of their best runs at the club recently taken off injured, especially given all the players out already.
“Jota’s in particular didn’t look good. His season might be over.”
Between Ryan Gravenberch coming on for Jones and Jota picking up his problem, Liverpool went in front at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Jota did brilliantly to flick on a long ball with his head.
And that set Darwin Nunez clear through the middle.
The Uruguayan showed bags of confidence to produce a superb chip over Mark Flekken into the back of the net.
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Nunez, though, was subbed off at half-time with Cody Gakpo on in his place.
Gakpo rounded off the scoring in the closing stages after Mac Allister and Salah found the net after the break while Ivan Toney grabbed one for the hosts.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
