Portugal forward Diogo Jota has been ruled out of the World Cup in Qatar due to a calf injury, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said on Tuesday.
The Portugal international was taken off on a stretcher in the closing stages of Sunday’s win over Manchester City at Anfield and a scan has confirmed the club’s worst fears.
Jota will not require surgery but he won’t play again until the new year.
“It’s not good news on Diogo. He will miss the World Cup,” confirmed Jurgen Klopp.
“It is very sad news for the boy, and for us as well of course and for Portugal. It will have a big impact.
“He will not be in for a long time, we’re talking about months. I don’t want to put a number on it because I always hope in the middle of the rehab there is a very positive development and we can cut some days off.”
Portugal begin their campaign against Ghana on November 24 before facing Uruguay and South Korea in group H.
Jota’s injury is also a significant blow to Liverpool. He will now miss their five Premier League games before the tournament kicks off, their two remaining Champions League group stage games and their Carabao Cup tie against Derby County.
Asked how the 25-year-old had reacted to the news, Klopp added: “It’s Diogo and he’s surprisingly okay so far. He is an incredibly smart boy and very reflective. I think he knew it when we carried him off the pitch. I think in that moment he knew already it was a serious one and could be pretty impactful for his World Cup dreams.”
