Liverpool take on Arsenal later this week and could be without a recognised striker for the Premier League clash after a Hugo Ekitike injury setback for Arne Slot's side
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has given an injury update on Hugo Ekitike after he missed the draw with Fulham
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has given an injury update on Hugo Ekitike after he missed the draw with Fulham
View 2 Images
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has disclosed that Hugo Ekitike was omitted from the Reds' clash against Fulham following confirmation of MRI scan results. The Dutch boss was unwilling to gamble with the French striker ahead of Thursday's journey to Arsenal, after the scan showed a problem, though he refrained from elaborating on the specific nature of the problem.
The reigning Premier League champions were held to a 2-2 draw with Fulham despite appearing to have secured a dramatic late victory through Cody Gakpo in stoppage time, when they were denied by Harrison Reed's 97th-minute equaliser. It marked another disappointing display from Slot's team, who find themselves trailing Mikel Arteta's Arsenal by 14 points at the Premier League summit.
When quizzed about Ekitike's fitness concern during his post-match media briefing, Slot explained: "Yes, he travelled because he felt something during the training session. "He went for an 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.
"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."
Hugo Ekitike looks on
Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike missed Sunday's trip to Fulham, with Arne Slot left sweating ahead of another visit to the capital to face Premier League leaders Arsenal
View 2 Images
Liverpool are missing a recognised striker with their record signing Isak sidelined due to a broken leg he suffered in last month's match against Spurs.
The Reds are also without their Mohamed Salah, who is currently on international duty at the African Cup of Nations. This resulted in goal scorer Gakpo being moved to the central forward position, with Florian Wirtz, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai supporting him from behind.
The draw with Fulham is another disappointing setback in Liverpool's quest to retain the Premier League title and Slot said: "I think if you are not a part of Liverpool and you don't follow us every game then you think you win it.
"But unfortunately, I am experiencing this for months now that the first chance the other team gets and the only chance they got in the first half led to a goal. That's one thing we usually see with us.
"The second thing we see a lot is that that the other team scores a goal you don't expect in extra time, so this is then a surprise." Arsenal currently hold a six-point lead at the top of the table following their 3-2 victory over Bournemouth, with title rivals Man City closely trailing them, despite Pep Guardiola's team dropping points in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea.
Content Image
Content Image