Liverpool manager Arne Slot has revealed that star striker Hugo Ekitike is a doubt for Thursday's clash with Premier League leaders Arsenal, having not trained this week due to injury concerns. Ekitike sat out the weekend match against Fulham after experiencing a muscle problem, and Slot is keen not to risk the French international, especially given the absences of injured Alexander Isak and Mohamed Salah, who is currently competing in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals with Egypt.
With Isak out due to a broken leg, Ekitike has been leading Liverpool's attack more than Slot would have liked, resulting in a hamstring worry following the New Year's Day stalemate with Leeds United. Despite travelling to London for Sunday's 2-2 draw, Ekitike was left out of the squad after an MRI scan revealed the extent of his injury.
However, Slot hinted at a possible return for the team's top scorer, with 11 goals to his name, in the upcoming game at the Emirates.
Speaking at Wednesday's press conference ahead of the Arsenal match, Slot stated: "He has not trained with us until now and let's see if he can today."
He added: "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."
It means Liverpool could be without as many as five players for Arsenal, with Ekitike and Isak joined by Giovanni Leoni on the treatment table.
The defender suffered an ACL injury at the start of the season and is expected to be sidelined for the foreseeable future.
Salah remains on AFCON duty with Egypt, while Wataru Endo remains unavailable due to an ankle problem.
Looking ahead to the Arsenal game, Slot said: "It would mean a lot [to beat them], it tells you you can compete in latter stages with any other team.
"We have shown that already, we beat Arsenal at home and other games we've beaten strong teams but we also know that it is a speciual game for them, we have to be ready, they are in a positive vibe at the moment and it is obvious we aren't.
"Everyone, I think, is looking forward to this. Always nice to be part of games with Arsenal, Man City, Real Madrid. Can it still be a special season? Of course.
"This club has shown so many times when they haven't had the best league form they can still win a trophy. It is always possible because we have a good and talented group, we've shown this already this season.
"Real Madrid, Atletico, Aston Villa - look at their run - we've shown we can compete with almost every team. Maybe one exception but that was disallowed goal, City away.
"All other games we've been competitive against everyone but we've not had the consistency against teams we usually beat. So we are 14 behind Arsenal and have some players out but we have enough to go there and make it a proper match."