Everything Arne Slot said about Hugo Ekitike as major injury update drops at Liverpool
Arne Slot’s problems continue to pile up as the Liverpool boss faces mounting pressure after defeat to PSV Eindhoven.
Football Insider understands that, despite the team’s current form, Slot is currently safe at Liverpool and has the hierarchy’s backing, but there is an expectation that results will turn around quickly.
Liverpool’s 4-1 defeat to PSV has not helped in the slightest after the shock loss to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, and anything other than a win against West Ham would be embarrassing.
Heading into the game, Slot is already without Conor Bradley, Florian Wirtz, and Jeremie Frimpong, with supporters hoping for positive news about star attacker Hugo Ekitike.
Arne Slot provides latest update on Hugo Ekitike
Ekitike only lasted until the hour mark before being replaced by Alexander Isak on Wednesday, 26 November, with Slot revealing that the player felt something in his back.
Speaking in his press conference on Thursday, 27 November, the manager confirmed that Alisson trained with the squad, with Wirtz taking part in his final day in rehab.
When speaking about Ekitike, the boss said that his back spasm was not a “big issue”, though he would not reveal whether the striker would be available for the upcoming Premier League clash.
The Merseysiders are expected to get back to winning ways against West Ham on Sunday, 30 November, but that is not so simple after Nuno Espirito Santo‘s side hit a purple patch.
What previous injuries has Ekitike had?
The Reds will not be overly concerned about the Frenchman’s injury history, having only missed two games during his two seasons with Eintracht Frankfurt.
He also missed four games for the national team with a knee injury, but given that his back has never seemingly been an issue, Slot is heading into the unknown with his player.
It seems that it might only be a few more days until Wirtz is ready to return to the lineup, and so too with Bradley, but if Slot is to avoid being replaced, he needs all stars firing on all cylinders.
Ekitike has certainly struggled to match the hype that supporters felt when he arrived, but with Isak also failing to deliver in front of goal, the 23-year-old is the better option through the middle right now.