Liverpool’s preparations for a pivotal Premier League clash against leaders Arsenal have been clouded by a significant injury concern, with manager Arne Slot confirming that striker Hugo Ekitike faces a late fitness test ahead of Thursday’s trip to the Emirates Stadium.
The French forward, who has become a pivotal figure in the Liverpool attack and leads the team’s scoring charts this season with 11 goals, missed Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Fulham and has yet to rejoin full training with the squad. Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Slot provided a cautious update. “He has not trained with us until now and let’s see if he can today,” the Dutch coach stated.
He elaborated on the tight recovery schedule, noting, “I said two or 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”.
Ekitike’s potential absence compounds Liverpool’s selection woes in attack. The team is already without Mohamed Salah, who is competing at the Africa Cup of Nations, and fellow striker Alexander Isak, who is recovering from surgery.
This leaves Slot with limited options, making Cody Gakpo the most likely candidate to lead the line against an Arsenal defense that has conceded fewer goals than any other team in the league this season. The situation is so uncertain that eagle-eyed fans noted both Liverpool player Conor Bradley and the club’s head of rehabilitation physio Lee Nobes removed Ekitike from their Fantasy Premier League teams this week, hinting strongly at his expected absence.
The match represents a critical juncture for Liverpool’s season. Trailing Arsenal by 14 points in the table, a victory is seen as essential to reignite their campaign and solidify their place in the top four.
Slot acknowledged the weight of the fixture, admitting, “A lot of importance on this game… It’s an important game to see where we are in a one-off game against a very very good Arsenal”. He was effusive in his praise for the opposition, describing Mikel Arteta’s side as “the complete package” with “many strengths” and “hardly any weaknesses,” highlighting their ability to score from open play and set-pieces as particular threats.
Ekitike’s journey to becoming Liverpool’s primary goal threat this season has been marked by a notable physical transformation under Slot’s guidance. The manager has previously revealed that the 23-year-old is now covering “double the amount of work” in matches compared to his first months at the club, a testament to intensive work on his defensive contributions and overall fitness.
Slot noted that earlier conversations with the striker focused more on defensive expectations than offensive ones, as his natural scoring ability was never in doubt. This development makes his potential loss for such a demanding fixture all the more significant, as his pace and recent form, with six goal involvements in his last five league appearances, are viewed as key assets.
With or without their top scorer, Liverpool face a formidable challenge against the league leaders. Slot conceded that his team has lacked the necessary consistency this term but believes a statement result at the Emirates could provide a vital spark.
“We are not where we want to be but I feel we have a very talented squad,” he said, expressing hope that a win could prove his side can still “do special things” in the remainder of the season across multiple competitions.