Hugo Ekitike is absent from the Liverpool squad to take on Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon
Sky Sports
Arne Slot says Hugo Ekitike has a hamstring injury(Image: Sky Sports)
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Arne Slot admits he's unsure whether Hugo Ekitike will be fit to face Arsenal on Thursday with the French forward absent from the squad to face Fulham on Sunday due to a hamstring issue.
Ekitike, who is Liverpool's top scorer this season with 11 goals in all competitions, is missing from the 20-man squad at Craven Cottage, with Cody Gakpo drafted in to the attack to replace him.
The summer signing from Frankfurt has been forced to take on a greater burden in recent weeks following the broken leg suffered by fellow close season arrival Alexander Isak at Tottenham before Christmas.
Slot says fatigue has contributed to Ekitike's issues, and says he isn't sure when he will be able to return.
The Reds boss told Sky Sports: "Alexander Isak has been out for a weeks now, and that has meant that Hugo had to play more minutes than he did the whole season, and that has led to the fact that he picked up a slight hamstring injury because we had to play him more and more and more minutes.
"And for a player that's his age that isn't used to the Premier League already that has been a bit too much, so that's why he will be out for today and hopefully be back for the Arsenal game, but that's definitely not sure yet."
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