Arne Slot has been speaking to the media ahead of Liverpool's Premier League game against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot in a press conference
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has been speaking about Hugo Ekitike ahead of his side's game against Arsenal on Thursday
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Image: (Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))
Arne Slot has confirmed that Hugo Ekitike is a big doubt for ’s game against . Ekitike played no part in his side’s 2-2 draw with on Sunday due to a hamstring issue.
The forward did travel with the Reds for the game against Marco Silva’s side but learnt of the results of an MRI scan after landing in the capital. He was then left out of the Liverpool matchday squad as a result.
And now, having not trained this week, Slot has confirmed that Ekitike is now touch and go for the trip to North London tomorrow night. He said: "Hugo has not trained with us until now, let's see if he can today.
“I've said when we played Fulham he wasn't going to be out for long, but the games come fast, so he is in between with the team, and it might take him one or two days extra."
Ekitike is Liverpool's top scorer this season with 11 goals in all competitions so far this season, and should he miss out at the Emirates Stadium, will likely continue in a No.9 role, as he did at Fulham on Sunday. The Reds are a huge 14 points behind the Gunners in the table, and Slot admitted: “We are not where we want to be, but I feel we have a very talented squad and if everyone is available and ready, we can do special things.
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“We've shown that this season with quite a lot of impressive wins, but we've also had 'impressive' draws and losses in a negative way.
“A lot of importance on this game. We still have a lot to play for in , but also in and . It's an important game to see where we are in a one-off game against a very, very good Arsenal, who have been very good for years.
“Arsenal's main strength is they have many strengths. They hardly concede, can score from open play and set-pieces, they have the complete package, and for that reason, they deserve to be on top this season.
“A win would mean a lot, as it would show we can compete with any other team in FA Cup and Champions League as well. We've shown we can do this; we've beaten Arsenal at home and other strong teams. But we also know it's going to be a special game for them as well.”
Arne Slot still believes his Liverpool side can enjoy a special season (
Image:
PA)
But despite the disappointing setbacks so far this campaign, Slot does believe his side can have a special season. He said: “It can still be a special season.
"This club has shown when they aren't in good form in the league, they can still win a trophy because we have a very talented group. Inter away, Atletico and at home, Villa at home, Arsenal, we've shown we can compete.
“We haven't had the consistency against teams we'd normally beat, which is why we're so many points behind Arsenal. We have enough players available to go to Arsenal and cause them a problem.”
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