Liverpool boss Arne Slot has spoken out about Hugo Ekitike's injury status as he was left out of the Reds' squad against Fulham and is in a race to return for Arsenal
Arne Slot
Arne Slot has provided an update on Hugo Ekitike(Image: Sky Sports)
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Arne Slot is hopeful Hugo Ekitike will be fit enough to face Arsenal, but is not certain the forward will return in time. Ekitike was left out of Liverpool's squad to face Fulham in the Premier League due to a hamstring injury.
And Slot confirmed the issue arose following the volume of minutes Ekitike has been forced to play in Alexander Isak's absence. Isak suffered a broken leg against Tottenham before Christmas, leaving the French forward as the Dutchman's lone striking option.
After missing out on the squad that made the trip to Craven Cottage, Ekitike's availability to face league leaders Arsenal on Thursday is in doubt. However, perhaps just as concerning is Ekitike's ability to manage his workload as he continues to adjust to life in the Premier League, with Isak not expected to return anytime soon.
"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."
Cody Gakpo was named in Liverpool's starting XI in west London in Ekitike's absence, with attacking support provided from Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz. Liverpool were without a recognised striker.
Ekitike has scored eight goals in eighteen Premier League matches and is the club's top scorer across all competitions. The former Frankfurt forward had bagged five goals in five appearances but went goalless in his last two.
Hugo Ekitike
Hugo Ekitike is not in Arne Slot's starting lineup
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Despite Liverpool's blow, Jamie Carragher wants to see Liverpool take the handbrake off moving forward. Slot's men are looking to improve upon a goalless draw against Leeds.
"There is progress but it feels like you are watching a team playing with the handbrake on. It is not how you imagine a Liverpool team playing," said Carragher.
"Most fans would have understood at the start of run why the manager changed. He had to make sure they stopped losing matches. Now it's time to see a little more excitement and football."
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