Jurgen Klopp confirms surprise injury blow for Liverpool ahead of final Merseyside derby

Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Diogo Jota will be sidelined for around two weeks after picking up an injury ahead of this week's trip to Everton. The Reds manager will be involved in his final Merseyside derby on Wednesday as Liverpool travel to Goodison Park in search of three valuable points.

Liverpool will be tasked with getting the job done in the absence of Jota, who is not available for selection after picking up a new injury. He was on target in Sunday's win over Fulham but will play no part against Everton, with the 27-year-old expected to spend around two weeks on the treatment table.

Asked if there were any new injury concerns in Liverpool's squad, Klopp said: "Unfortunately, yes. Diogo felt a little bit and now we find out it's a little bit more, so he will be out for around two weeks. I can't really say a lot about it, to be honest.

"He got a knock and felt a little bit in the hip, but he was fine. He started the last game and was obviously okay, it was a small one, that's why I said two weeks. We are late in the season so it is not a great moment. It's not a good one, pretty much nothing but enough to not be available. That's it."

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Jota has scored 10 league goals this season, with his prolific form helping to keep Liverpool in the battle for Premier League glory alongside Manchester City and Arsenal. His absence will be a major blow for the Reds against Everton but it seems as though he will be ready to return before the end of the campaign.

Klopp was also quizzed on his pre-match thoughts ahead of his final Merseyside derby before he leaves Anfield in the summer. Nine of the last 12 derbies at Goodison Park have ended in draws but the Liverpool boss was quick to insist that history will count for nothing on Wednesday.

"Super important for us, obviously, that is clear," he said. "Our point of view is to win the next three games. It's really important, like all the other games, but we know about the importance, definitely.

"My first derby was in 2016 but when you come here I wouldn't have said it was my game of the year. I knew it was for the fans but didn't feel it then. Now I know it and I feel it, it's absolutely clear. My understanding has developed over the years. They're always difficult games. Good results, good games.

"It's not too important what we did in the past. At Everton, if you play Liverpool it's much more than three points and that's the way everybody sees it there. We will never be underestimated whenever we arrive there. That makes it more difficult but it's the same when they come to Anfield. It has not looked like we are not ready for the game."