Liverpool’s Jota ruled out of trip to Arsenal

Liverpool manager Arne Slot says forward Diogo Jota will miss their Premier League game at Arsenal on Sunday.

Jota was substituted in the victory against Chelsea last Sunday after suffering a chest injury when Blues defender Tosin Adarabioyo fell on top of him during a challenge.

The Portugal international missed Liverpool’s Champions League win at RB Leipzig on Wednesday and will be absent for the trip to the face the Gunners on Sunday (16:30 GMT), along with winger Federico Chiesa. Right-back Conor Bradley could also miss out.

“They feel good but not when it comes to playing for us during the weekend,” said Slot.

“Federico might train with us today or tomorrow, Diogo definitely not and let’s see if Conor Bradley can be with us tomorrow.”

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker remains out with a hamstring injury suffered in a win at Crystal Palace on 5 October and is expected to be sidelined until at least the next international break during mid-November.

“He’s progressing well like we expect but it’s not a short-term recovery, so always difficult to judge him,” added Slot.

“I think the best way to judge an injury is in the end of an injury, the end phase of his rehab, and he’s not there yet.”

Liverpool are top of the table going into the game at Arsenal and have a four-point lead over the third-placed Gunners, who Slot said had been “far ahead” of the Reds for the past two seasons.

“Nobody knows at this early stage who will be your biggest competitor but we all know that Arsenal will be one of them, so dropping or winning points against them is always important,” said the Dutchman.

“It’s difficult to win an away game at Arsenal or Manchester City, or all the other ones, but it’s something we are trying on Sunday, definitely.”