Injury newsLiverpool to assess Diogo Jota fitness ahead of Brentford clash

The forward reported some discomfort after his goalscoring cameo performance at Nottingham Forest in midweek and will be checked by the Reds' medical team.

Arne Slot told his pre-match press conference on Friday morning: "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.

"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 has already faced a spell on the sidelines this season when an injury sustained against Chelsea in October kept him out of action until mid-December.

Asked whether the No.20 is on a specific training programme to try to maintain his fitness, Slot replied: "Not because it's Jota, but I think every player has an individual programme.

"I said this last week as well, 80 or 90 per cent of [the time] they do the same [things], but of course every individual has things he wants to improve or to prevent him from getting certain injuries that he maybe had in the past.

"Of course, there is an eye on him doing some individual work to prevent him from getting injuries, but that is not only with him, it's for all the others the same.

"There is a special programme for him, as there is for every single player - there is a special programme for every single player - but 80 or 90 per cent is the same for every player."

With the January transfer window open, Slot was asked whether news of Jota's injury concern could impact any potential plans to loan out Academy striker Jayden Danns in search of more senior minutes.

The head coach said: "I think you take a lot of things into account, if you want to loan out a player - and this could be one of them - but there are also other factors you take into account.

"Is it good for a player to get some playing time, yes or no? Do we think we still need him [because] we do have already three options for the No.9 position and it is not like we expect now Jota to be out for a long period of time.

"It will be a struggle to have him on the pitch maybe on Saturday, but we are hoping to see him on the pitch in the near future again.

"We have three options, but Jayden did really well when he came in so we have actually four options, and then it's up to us as a club to make the best possible decision for the near future and also the long-term future of this club."

Elsewhere, Slot anticipates Luis Diaz will be fine to be included in the squad to face Brentford after illness ruled him out of Thursday's training session.

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