Hugo Ekitike is a strong doubt for Liverpool’s trip to Arsenal with a fitness concern that ruled him out against Fulham, with the striker yet to train.
Liverpool head to the Premier League leaders on Thursday knowing they will be without Alexander Isak and Mohamed Salah – and likely, at least from the start, Ekitike.
The Frenchman missed Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Fulham despite travelling to London, with an MRI scan revealing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) during the club’s flight.
Asked in his pre-match press conference whether Ekitike can be expected back, Slot answered with doubt.
“He’s not trained with us until now. Let’s see if he can today,” the head coach told reporters.
“I said when we played Fulham that he’s not going to be out for long, but yeah, because games come so fast he’s in between – maybe training with the team or it would take him one or two days extra.”
The likelihood is that, if fit, Ekitike would only be considered for a place on the bench, with one of Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz or Federico Chiesa starting up front.
But it is also possible that he missed out entirely and instead comes back into contention for the FA Cup third-round clash with Barnsley on Monday night.
Is Hugo Ekitike still injured? Conor Bradley and LFC physio drop FPL hint
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 27, 2025: Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike is substituted for Cody Gakpo (L) during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The mystery over Ekitike’s situation was highlighted by eagle-eyed fans on Tuesday night as both Conor Bradley and Liverpool’s head of rehab physio Lee Nobes removed him from their Fantasy Premier League teams.
Both Nobes, who will be overseeing the player’s recovery, and Bradley, a close team-mate, opted to bring in Brentford‘s Igor Thiago in his place.
That at least aligns with Slot’s update on Wednesday, with the chances of Ekitike starting against Arsenal clearly slim.