Team news confirmed from Craven Cottage as Hugo Ekitike misses out and Cody Gakpo returns
Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool during the Premier League match against Leeds United
Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool during the Premier League match against Leeds United
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Hugo Ekitike misses out for Liverpool at Fulham as Cody Gakpo returns to the side at Craven Cottage.
Ekitike has started the last six games for the Reds, across all competitions, but is absent for the game against Marco Silva's side in London this afternoon. The striker's issue has been described as a minor one.
Gakpo starts his first game in nearly a month as he returns to lead the line in the absence of Ekitike. The Netherlands international has been sidelined in recent weeks but made his comeback earlier this week in the 0-0 draw with Leeds United.
Netherlands international Gakpo was a second-half substitute on Thursday but is named up top this afternoon for his first start since the 3-3 draw with Leeds on December 6.
Florian Wirtz keeps his place on the left side of the attack, despite Arne Slot hinting at a hamstring scare after his withdrawal in the goalless affair with Daniel Farke's side on January 1.
"Florian only trained once this week because two days after the game, he felt his hamstring still a bit," Slot said at the time.
"You try to be as careful as you can without ruining your chances of winning the game as much as you can with the schedule coming up because missing out on another one would be an even bigger problem if that's going to take five, six or seven weeks or longer."
Alexis Mac Allister returns to the midfield alongside Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones as Milos Kerkez replaces Andy Robertson at left-back.
Kerkez slots in alongside Ibrahima Konate, captain Virgil van Dijk and Conor Bradley who keeps his place at right-back. Jeremie Frimpong drops to the bench.
Liverpool: Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones; Mac Allister; Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Wirtz
Subs: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Gomez, Ramsay, Robertson, Nyoni, Ngumoha, Frimpong, Chiesa.