Hugo Ekitike has been left out of Liverpool's squad for their clash with Fulham. The French forward has been sidelined for the Craven Cottage encounter due to what the club has described as a minor fitness concern. Arne Slot is already without striker Alexander Isak, who remains on the treatment table, and Mohamed Salah, who is away on international duty with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Dutch tactician now faces an additional blow with Ekitike's absence adding to his attacking woes. Slot explained that Ekitike sustained a hamstring problem as a consequence of his increased playing time. "Alexander Isak has been out for a few weeks now, and that has meant Hugo has had to play more minutes than he did throughout the whole season," said Slot.
"That has led to the fact that he picked up a slight hamstring injury because we had to play him more and more minutes.
"For a player that is his age and is not used to the Premier League completely, that has been a bit too much. That is why he is out today and hopefully will be back for the Arsenal game, but that is not sure yet."
The striker has netted eight times in eighteen Premier League appearances but has failed to find the back of the net in his previous two encounters against Wolves and Leeds United.
The ex-Frankfurt marksman had previously struck five times in three matches before his recent dry spell.
Cody Gakpo appears poised to spearhead the attack in west London, with creative backing from Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz as Liverpool field a side without a natural centre-forward. Gakpo is one of three new faces in Slot's starting lineup, with Milos Kerkez and Alexis Mac Allister also returning as Jeremie Frimpong and Andrew Robertson take a seat on the bench.
Joe Gomez, who has been sidelined due to muscular issues, makes a comeback to Liverpool's matchday squad and is listed among the substitutes. The defender missed Liverpool's last three matches, his most recent appearance being against Brighton.
Following their goalless draw with Leeds United on New Year's Day, the Reds are keen to return to their winning ways in the Premier League. Despite Ekitike's absence, Slot will be aiming to extend his team's seven-match unbeaten streak in the league.
Liverpool's starting XI: Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones; Mac Allister; Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Wirtz.
Substitutes: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Gomez, Chiesa, Robertson, Frimpong, Nyoni, Ramsay, Ngumoha.