Liverpool leading goalscorer Hugo Ekitike missed Sunday's 2-2 draw at Fulham and is now a doubt for the trip to Arsenal
Liverpool's Dutch manager Arne Slot speaks to Liverpool's French striker #22 Hugo Ekitike during the UEFA Champions League phase day 6 football match between Inter Milan and Liverpool at San Siro stadium in Milan, on December 9, 2025. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP via Getty Images)
Arne Slot could not confirm whether Hugo Ekitike would be fit for Liverpool's trip to Arsenal
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Liverpool boss Arne Slot has confirmed that leading marksman Hugo Ekitike is a doubt for Thursday's trip to Premier League leaders Arsenal. The striker has yet to train this week after an injury fright.
Ekitike missed the match against Fulham at the weekend after suffering a muscle issue with Slot determined not to overplay the France international at a time when he is also without the injured Alexander Isak and Mohamed Salah, who is set to contest the quarter-final of the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt.
With Isak now sidelined with a broken leg, Ekitike had been asked to lead the line for the Reds for longer than their head coach would have preferred, which led to a hamstring scare after the goalless draw with Leeds United on New Year’s Day.
Ekitike flew to London on Sunday for the 2-2 draw but learned of the results of an MRI scan after landing in the capital and was left out of the squad as a result.
Slot insisted after the game at Craven Cottage that his 11-goal top scorer was vying for a recall for the trip to the Emirates.
But speaking in his press conference on Wednesday ahead of the fixture against Arsenal, Slot said: "He has not trained with us until now and let's see if he can today.
"I have said two-three days ago he won't 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."
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