Liverpool’s Diogo Jota in race to be fit for Carabao Cup final after ankle injury

Diogo Jota is facing a race to be fit for Liverpool’s Carabao Cup final against Chelsea on Sunday 27 February after sustaining an ankle ligament injury in the Champions League win over Internazionale.

Jota underwent a scan in Milan on Thursday after Liverpool, who had planned to return home immediately after the last-16 first leg, stayed an extra night as a result of the storms in England. The scan confirmed some ligament damage but the full extent of the problem is not yet known. Jota’s ankle remains in a protective boot as a precaution.

The Portugal international has been in excellent form for Jürgen Klopp’s team this season and has contributed 17 goals. He will miss Saturday’s Premier League game against Norwich but, without a confirmed diagnosis and given Jota’s quick recovery from previous injuries, Liverpool are reluctant to rule the striker out of any other matches.

Klopp’s team host Leeds in the Premier League on Wednesday before facing Chelsea at Wembley on Sunday week.