Liverpool’s Diogo Jota is at risk of missing the team’s upcoming high-profile clashes at Anfield against Real Madrid and Manchester City due to ongoing fitness issues.

The forward has been out of action since picking up an upper-body injury on October 20, when he was landed on by Chelsea‘s Tosin Adarabioyo during a Premier League victory.

Initially expected to return after the international break, with Liverpool set to face Southampton on November 24, followed by games against Real Madrid and City.

Jota’s comeback now seems likely to be delayed until December, potentially affecting fixtures against Newcastle United and Everton. “We expect him back after the international break,” Liverpool head coach Slot commented on Friday.

“Now, after the international break is six or seven months (of the season) to go! ” He added, “He will be back one or two weeks after the international break.”

In Jota’s absence, Slot has been experimenting with his attacking lineup, utilising Darwin Nunez, who scored in the Champions League win over RB Leipzig, Luis Diaz, who bagged a hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen, and opting for no traditional striker in the League Cup triumph at Brighton.

Diaz played a more central role in the win over Leverkusen, with a number of options remaining for Slot to utilise against Aston Villa.

Their opponents are expected to rotate again from their Champions League defeat to Club Brugge.

Tyrone Mings, who made a huge error in picking up the ball inside the area to give away a penalty, will likely drop out for Pau Torres.