Liverpool fans are eagerly awaiting news regarding the extent of Diogo Jota's injury, which forced him to leave the pitch during the team’s 2-1 win against Chelsea.
In the first half, Jota was injured following a challenge from Tosin Adarabioyo near the halfway line. He was substituted after just 30 minutes, with Darwin Nunez stepping in for him.
Currently, Jota is undergoing assessments from Liverpool’s medical team, but coach Arne Slot is preparing for the possibility that he will miss the Champions League match against RB Leipzig on Wednesday.
Following the match, Slot remarked on Liverpool's website, "Diogo had to be substituted, and I am not sure what it is, but I’d be surprised if he is there on Wednesday.
"Should Jota be unavailable, Nunez is almost certain to start against Leipzig, despite his challenging start to the season under Slot, having only netted once so far.
If Jota ends up sidelined for a few weeks, it will place significant pressure on Darwin to find the net during a tough series of matches.
According to Physio Scout on X/Twitter, Jota is thought to have sustained a rib injury from the collision. Although he attempted to continue after an on-field evaluation, he ultimately could not.
The potential scenarios for Jota's injury include either a rib contusion (bruise) or a rib fracture.
Rib injuries typically involve pain management, with recovery from a contusion generally taking 1-2 weeks. However, scans are necessary to confirm the absence of a fracture, which would prolong the recovery time.
Rib injuries are known for being particularly painful, which may explain why Jota was unable to carry on playing. If it is confirmed as a rib contusion, he might return in a couple of weeks; conversely, a fracture could lead to a recovery period of 4-6 weeks.
Major League Soccer (MLS) commenced its 30th season with a historic opening weekend, recording an unprecedented 46 goals across 15 matches, surpassing the previous record of 41 goals in 12 games set in 2019.
Notable high-scoring encounters included Columbus Crew's 4-2 victory over Chicago Fire and Philadelphia Union's 4-2 win against Orlando City.
Additionally, San Jose Earthquakes delivered a commanding 4-0 performance against Real Salt Lake, while Vancouver Whitecaps secured a 4-1 triumph over Portland Timbers.
In contrast, nine teams were unable to find the net, including reigning champions LA Galaxy, who suffered a surprising 2-0 defeat to debutants San Diego FC.
Reflecting on the weekend's events, MLS Commissioner Don Garber stated, "This record-breaking start showcases the attacking talent and competitive spirit present in our league."
Individual performances also stood out, with seven players netting braces, indicating a fierce competition for the Golden Boot this season.
Emmanuel Latte Lath, Atlanta United's record signing, made an immediate impact by scoring twice in their 3-2 win over CF Montréal.
Similarly, Anders Dreyer marked San Diego FC's league debut with a memorable double against LA Galaxy.
Atlanta United's head coach, Gonzalo Pineda, praised Latte Lath's contribution, noting, "Emmanuel's performance today exemplifies the quality and excitement he brings to our squad."
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