Arne Slot remains optimistic that Hugo Ekitike hasn't sustained a hamstring injury and could be available for Liverpool's crucial clash with Arsenal on Thursday, after the striker was absent from Sunday's 2-2 draw with Fulham. The Reds were denied victory at Craven Cottage by Harrison Reed's spectacular stoppage-time equaliser, following strikes from Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo that had overturned Harry Wilson's early opener.
Ekitike was ruled out of the encounter after experiencing hamstring concerns during training, having previously featured in the goalless draw with Leeds on New Year's Day. With a daunting trip to table-toppers Arsenal looming, Slot offered an assessment of the France international's fitness prospects.
"Yes, he travelled because he felt something during the training session," Slot explained.
"He felt something during the MRI scan and we got the results when we were flying.
"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."