Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that star forward Diogo Jota isn't available for the upcoming Norwich City Premier League game this weekend but still remains hopeful that he will be fit to face Chelsea at the end of the month.
Jota, 25, had to be withdrawn by Klopp in the first-half of their Champions League clash with Inter Milan on Wednesday night, citing ankle issues as the reason.
The German coach later stated that Jota could have potentially played on, but a swollen ankle meant he was not going to take any chances.
Liverpool were sweating on the Portugal International's fitness in the immediate aftermath of the win in Italy with Norwich and Leeds just around the corner coupled with the showpiece Carabao Cup final at the end of the month.
Speaking after the game to BT Sport, Klopp said: "I am really happy with everything apart from the fact that Diogo [Jota] had to go off with something around the ankle ligament, we don't know exactly.
"He could play on obviously, which maybe is a good sign, but at half-time the ankle was swollen anyway, so we had to change.."
He also added in his post-match press conference: “Do I know the full extent yet? No, I don't know that yet.”
Fast forward to now, and ahead of the home clash against the Canaries, it was confirmed that the former Wolves man will not be available but the German still hasn't lost hope that his star forward could also make the final despite the fresh injury blow.
"No he will not be available. We need further assessment. Some ligaments around the ankle. Everything is possible. It could go quick or the other way. We have to wait," he said in his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon via the Liverpool Echo.
"Hopefully it will be really quick (recovery)."
Regardless of what was to happen as we know now, the Merseysiders are set to have a wrath of attacking options for this Wembley final with all of Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and new signing Luis Diaz all fit and firing as these four players look to hand Klopp and the Kopites their first silverware of the season.
With the state of Jota and Chelsea's key man Mason Mount not yet distinguished ahead of the Carabao Cup final, both teams will still be sweating ahead of the third clash of the season between the pair.
