Liverpool manager Arne Slott has spoken about the injury situation of Hugo Ekitike, who was left out of the Reds’ squad for the game against Fulham and is in contention to return to Arsenal.
Manager Arne Slott hopes Hugo Ekitike will be fit enough to face Arsenal, but it remains to be seen whether the forward will be fit in time. Ekitike has been ruled out of Liverpool’s squad for the Premier League match against Fulham due to a hamstring injury.
And Slott admitted the problems arose due to the amount of time Ekitike was forced to play in Alexander Isaac’s absence. Isak broke his foot in the game against Tottenham just before Christmas, leaving the French forward as the Dutchman’s only attacking option.
Ekitike was left out of the squad for the trip to Craven Cottage and is a doubt for his availability to face league leaders Arsenal on Thursday. But perhaps just as concerning is Ekitike’s ability to manage his workload as he continues to adapt to life in the Premier League, as Isak is not expected to return any time soon.
“Alexander Isak has been out for the last few weeks, so Hugo has had to play more time than he has all season,” Slott said. “That led to the fact that he had a slight injury to his hamstring because we had more time to play with him.
“For a player of his age who is not completely used to the Premier League, it was a bit too much. That is why he is absent today and hopefully he will be back against Arsenal, but that remains to be seen.”
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In Ekitike’s absence, Kodi Gakpo was included in Liverpool’s starting XI in West London, with Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirths providing attacking support. Liverpool lacked a recognizable striker.
Ekitike has scored eight goals in 18 Premier League games, making him the club’s top scorer in all competitions. The former Frankfurt forward scored five goals in five appearances, but his last two games were goalless.
Despite Liverpool’s hammering, Jamie Carragher wants to see Liverpool take off the handbrake and move forward. Slott’s side will be hoping to improve on their goalless draw against Leeds.
Carragher said: “There’s been progress but it feels like you’re watching a team playing with the handbrake on. It’s not the way you would imagine a Liverpool team playing.”
“Most fans would have understood at the start of the game why there was a change in manager. The manager had to make sure we stopped losing the game. Now it’s time to get a little more excited and watch some football.”
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