Jota doubts Brentford game, Dann’s latest and more

Liverpool could be without striker Diogo Jota when the Premier League leaders face Brentford on Saturday.

Jota scored 22 seconds after coming on as a substitute at Nottingham Forest in midweek, securing a point for Arne Slot’s side with his header.

Liverpool go into the weekend four points clear of Arsenal but may be without the Portuguese striker.

Slot said: “There is no doubt about his (Jota) importance to us but he hasn’t trained so we’ll have to see where he is today.”

Arne Slot has confirmed that we will assess Diogo Jota’s fitness to see if he can feature in Saturday’s trip to Brentford ⤵️

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 17, 2025

“It is not certain if he will be available tomorrow, we will see today. He felt a bit of a nuisance coming on, a nuisance during the half hour he came on as a substitute at Forest. He finished the game but complained a little about it. We’ll see about that tomorrow.”

Brentford have a good track record of scoring early goals this season and Liverpool have conceded the first goal in five of their last seven Premier League games.

Slot expects the second half of the season to be more difficult and pointed to Southampton’s performance in their eventual defeat to Manchester United on Thursday as evidence of what lies ahead for the top teams.

“This season shows the strength of the Premier League,” he said.

“It was quite a surprise that Southampton were able to compete with Manchester United for so long, so it is harder to win in the second half of the season than the first.”

“The teams have been together longer, others are bringing in players and teams are fighting for Europe, titles and staying in the league; Brentford is an example of a team that was strong in the first half.

“They have been a very good team for a few years now. They showed that.”

Young striker Jayden Danns impressed from the bench in the FA Cup win over Accrington Stanley and is one of the players linked with a loan move from Anfield this month.

Slot says he has a lot to think about about the 19-year-old’s future.

He said: “I think you take a lot of things into account when you want to take someone on loan. Is this good for the player? Yes or no. Do we still need him?

“We have two or three for No.9 and we don’t expect Jota to be out for long. Hopefully we’ll see him on the pitch soon

“Jayden did well when he came in, so we have four options and we have to make the right decisions.”