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Hugo Ekitike injury latest as Arne Slot gives update on Liverpool striker, Florian Wirtz and…

Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike is a doubt for the weekend's trip to West Ham United, Arne Slot has confirmed, but the Frenchman is not expected to be out for too long.

Alisson Becker has trained today, meanwhile, and Florian Wirtz could return to the group on Saturday. The Brazilian was ill and missed the PSV game in the Champions League, while Wirtz returned from international duty with Germany with a muscle issue.

Ekitike was brought back into the starting XI for the visit of the Eredivisie leader but was only able to play just over an hour before he limped off with a back issue. The Frenchman was replaced by Alexander Isak, who once again struggled to make an impact.

On Wednesday, Slot told TNT Sports: "Especially at the start of the second half, I constantly felt, 'What's wrong with Hugo?'. It felt as if he couldn't move as he did [in] the first half.

"So, that's why our press was, I think, also a little bit off. And he just told me that in the first five to 10 minutes of the first half, he already felt his back too much. That's also why he had to go out."

Against PSV, Liverpool did OK in the first half but then fell apart in the second. From front to back, the team was far too easy to play through with the Dutch side running riot.

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(Image: Liverpoolfc.com)

"Mainly the [second] goal I think," Slot said when asked about what changed after half-time. "Although in the start of the second half — before they scored the goal — we already struggled more than in the first half.

"We had more problems, or we had more difficulty, in being as aggressive in the press as we were in the first half.

"That had a bit to do with Hugo Ekitike, who straight after half-time felt his back a little bit and that’s why his press wasn’t as aggressive as the first 45 minutes.

"I know, because I follow the Dutch league, if you are not aggressive enough against PSV, then they have players who can outplay you because they are a very good team with very good football players on the ball.

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"That’s what we saw in the second goal they scored. But, again, after they scored the second goal, I think we had our chances to equalize, but not for the first time this season, we didn’t take the chances we had."

After playing West Ham, Liverpool will face Sunderland and Leeds United in the Premier League.

On Joe Gomez, Slot added: "He is close. He could have been involved yesterday for minutes but when we are two or three-one down, I tend to make offensive subs.

"For him to start is definitely a possibility. Konate didn't train two days before; he was a liability before the game, so it was a risk. I decided to keep him there in case Ibou was injured."

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