Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Liverpool will make the trip to Tottenham for a Premier League meeting on Saturday evening.
The Reds have a few injury concerns ahead of Spurs, though it remains to be seen if that will lead to some fringe stars being given a chance.
Federico Chiesa of Liverpool F.C. looks on during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield
Federico Chiesa of Liverpool F.C. looks on during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield
Liverpool are looking to make it six games unbeaten when they travel to North London.
The Lilywhites, on the other hand, have won just one of their last five league matches and sit 11th in the table prior to the weekend’s action getting underway.
Despite this, Jamie Carragher wants two Tottenham players at Liverpool amid their questionable defensive record this season.
Arne Slot praises Hugo Ekitike before Tottenham
Ahead of Saturday’s tie, Arne Slot spoke to the press on Friday morning.
During his time with the media, the Dutchman was asked about Hugo Ekitike.
The Frenchman sits as Liverpool’s top goalscorer in 2025/26, but Slot is not surprised by how well the summer addition is doing in the final third.
He was, however, quick to point out the improvements in the defensive side of the striker’s game, saying it is a ‘big help’ to the team.
Slot said: “No he didn’t [surpass expectations] because we knew who we had signed. He had to go off in the Brighton game after 70 minutes with cramp but he almost did double the work three months ago when he also went off with cramp.
“His ability to score, his technique, speed, he has all this, so no-one is surprised to see it. But he has improved a lot how much he runs in the games and works. That is a big help for the team as well, so that is important for number nine as well. In our talks, I have probably told him what I expect more defensively from him than offensively. I am more excited to see what he is doing defensively.”
Richarlison warms up ahead of Tottenham's UEFA Champions League match against Slavia Prague at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (Credit: Getty Images/Vince Mignott/DeFodi Images). Richarlison argues with Virgil van Dijk during Tottenham's Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Carl Recine).
Image Credit: Getty Images/Vince Mignott/DeFodi Images/Carl Recine
Alexander Isak vs Hugo Ekitike
In the same presser, Slot spoke about having a rare full week to train with his team in the build-up to Tottenham.
He said: “I think it is always helpful for a manager to work on the training pitch [for a full week]. If you bring in players in the window, Alex, for example September 1 but you can also influence players with video meetings.
“But I would prefer more of these weeks because you can implement new things or point out what needs improving. Next week it is the same, so I have liked it and it is a mini pre-season for us.”
While Alexander Isak didn’t, as Slot mentioned, join until the end of the summer window, he’s now had plenty of time to get up to speed as a Red.
However, Isak is struggling for form, and in his stead, Ekitike has been leading the line well.
Perhaps we will see something different from the Swede this weekend after a full week of training, but if his performances don’t improve soon, it may put even more pressure on the British transfer record signing and see him kept out of the centre-forward role on a more regular basis.