Arne Slot could be forced to leave one of Liverpool’s key players out of the squad (Image: GETTY)
Arne Slot could be forced to leave one of Liverpool’s key players out of the squad to face Bologna on Wednesday night. The Reds got off to a winning start in their first game of the revamped Champions League, securing all three points away at AC Milan.
Liverpool will be the overwhelming favourites to maintain their winning form against Bologna but they might have to do it without Diogo Jota on the pitch. The forward did not take part in training on Tuesday and is a doubt for the fixture, according to The Athletic.
It is said that Jota skipped the session after taking a heavy blow to his foot in the win over Wolves last weekend. He will continue to be monitored ahead of the visit of Bologna, who played out a goalless draw with Shakhtar Donetsk in their opening match.
Diogo Jota missed training on Tuesday after taking a heavy blow against Wolves (Image: GETTY)
Federico Chiesa also missed training on Tuesday but it is said that Darwin Nunez and Andy Robertson were both involved. Nunez did not play against Wolves due to illness but has since recovered and will be in contention to feature against Bologna at Anfield.
Robertson, meanwhile, limped off at Molineux after a heavy challenge in the closing stages of the match but is not injured and will be available for selection.
Slot played down fears of Robertson being set for a spell on the sidelines after the final whistle, saying: “I don’t expect it to be a big problem, although you never know. I think he just got a knock in the end stage of the game, maybe he was a bit tired as well.
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“The guy who came in, [Carlos] Forbs, I knew him from Dutch competition, he made it a real fight for him as well. He got a bit of a knock but I’m expecting him to be in training Monday again, but let’s wait.”
It leaves Harvey Elliott as the only confirmed absentee for Liverpool after fracturing his foot last month. Only time will tell if Jota and Chiesa are named in the squad to face Bologna or if they will be forced to watch from the stands.
The game will mark the first ever meeting between the two clubs, with Bologna set to become the 137th side Liverpool have faced in Europe. A victory would see Arne Slot become the first Reds manager to win eight of his first nine matches in charge.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1955770/Liverpool-training-Champions-League-Bologna