Brentfordvs.Liverpool

The Portugal international has been tipped to start against the Bees after making Liverpool history in Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest, where he equalised with his first touch of the ball.

Jota's header came 22 seconds after his introduction, making it the fastest Premier League goal scored by a Liverpool substitute on record, and he also came close to snatching all three points at the City Ground but was denied by a terrific Matz Sels stop.

The former Wolverhampton Wanderers man did not appear to be suffering from any sort of affliction at full time, but Slot revealed in Friday's press conference that he had complained of "a little niggle" and was not guaranteed to make an appearance on Saturday.

"There is no doubt about the fact Jota is an important player for us, but he wasn't on the training ground yesterday so that means we have to see today where he is," the Dutchman told reporters.

Jota facing race against time to be fit for Brentford

"So, it is not sure he will be available for tomorrow. We have to wait and see today. He felt a little bit when he came in [at Forest], a little niggle during the half-hour he came in.

"He could finish the game, but afterwards he complained a bit about it and that's why he didn't train yesterday. We have to wait and see if he is available today and then, of course, tomorrow."

Jota is still waiting for his first Premier League start since mid-October, having not made a top-flight first XI since the 2-1 win over Chelsea, where he sustained a serious abdominal injury.

The 28-year-old missed 11 Liverpool matches with the issue but has scored three goals in six Premier League games off the bench since making a full recovery, also netting against Fulham and West Ham United.

As well as Jota, Slot revealed that fellow attacker Luis Diaz had not been in training on Thursday due to illness, but he is more optimistic about the Colombian's chances of making the cut in West London.

"I assume he is [fine]," Slot said of Diaz. "Yesterday he was not allowed [to train] because he had a bit of a sore throat, but I assume he be training with us today. I still have to hear this, but we are expecting him to train with us today."

Could Darwin Nunez benefit from Jota, Diaz doubts?

While Jota and Diaz are both uncertain for the clash with Brentford, one attacker who is available again is Darwin Nunez, who sat out the stalemate with Nottingham Forest due to suspension.

The Uruguay international is yet to play his way into Slot's good books, only coming up with four goals and four assists in 26 appearances for the Reds this season, while only starting seven games in the Premier League.

However, Nunez would be the most natural solution up front for Liverpool if Jota and Diaz are both ruled out, unless Slot starts either Cody Gakpo or the young Jayden Danns up front and introduces Harvey Elliott or Federico Chiesa into a wide area.

Nunez was directly involved in a goal in both of Liverpool's matches against Brentford last season, scoring in the 4-1 win at the Gtech Community Stadium after providing an assist for Mohamed Salah in a 3-0 home success.

Liverpool head into gameweek 22 with a four-point lead over Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table, and the Reds still have a game in hand on Mikel Arteta's team.

Written by

Ben Knapton