Arne Slot provides an injury update on Hugo Ekitike after Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Fulham at Craven Cottage
Hugo Ekitike missed Liverpool's trip to Fulham
Hugo Ekitike missed Liverpool's trip to Fulham(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Arne Slot is hopeful Hugo Ekitike hasn't suffered a hamstring issue and can be fit for Liverpool's trip to Arsenal on Thursday after the striker missed Sunday's 2-2 draw with Fulham.
The Reds were held at Craven Cottage by Harrison Reed's stunning stoppage-time strike after goals from Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo had cancelled out Harry Wilson's opener.
Ekitike played no part in the game after a hamstring scare following the goalless draw with Leeds United on New Year's Day, but with a visit to league leaders Arsenal next week, Slot provided an update on the France international's hopes of being declared fit.
"Yes, he travelled because he felt something during the training session," Slot said. "He felt something during the MRI scan and we got the results when we were flying.
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"We were hoping it was a bit of DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness), which he also had.
"Why? Because Alex Isak has been out and since Alex has been out, he doesn’t play 60 or 70 minutes and sometimes gets a bit of rest.
"He has to play 80 or 90 minutes every single game for the first time in his life without a winter break and for the first time, at Champions League level.
"It’s not a big surprise he gets a bit of DOMS. We were hoping it would be DOMS and we could have used him as a sub but, unfortunately, we saw a bit more and couldn’t take a risk."
Slot added: "Florian had the same last week when we put him in an MRI scan and it was only DOMS. He didn't have anything but he is also for the first time experiencing this programme.
"If I don't have that many players, I would like the ones I do have available and play them as many minutes as I can realistically. That's what I tried to do today."