Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike doubtful for Arsenal clash with hamstring injury
Hugo Ekitike is a major doubt for Thursday’s big Premier League clash between Arsenal and Liverpool.
The Reds striker missed the 2-2 draw against Fulham at the weekend with a minor hamstring problem and is yet to return to training.
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Manager Arne Slot said: “He hasn’t trained with us so far and let’s see if he can do it today.
“I said two or three days ago that he wouldn’t be out for long but, with the games coming so quickly, he’s between training with the team or it could take him another day or two.”
With Alexander Isak injured and Mohamed Salah still present at the Africa Cup of Nations, Ekitike’s absence would be a major blow to Liverpool’s hopes of a positive result.
The reigning champions go into the match 14 points behind leaders Arsenal after Harrison Reed’s late equalizer saw them drop more points at Craven Cottage.
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Slot’s side looked to have secured victory when Cody Gakpo scored in stoppage time, but Reed responded, and the Dutchman admitted: “That’s nine games unbeaten where we’ve definitely had two draws too many.”
Facing accusations from supporters that Liverpool’s style of football is dull and dull, Slot added: “I find that really difficult to hear, but it’s not that I completely disagree – I would use different words and take certain things into account.
Harrison Reed, left, scored a superb late equalizer against Liverpool (Adam Davy/PA)
“I want to win as many trophies as possible, but I think I’m also known for the fact that my teams always try to play attacking football. I can only say that we always try to do that. We struggle to create many chances, but we are not the only team.”
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The emotions around Anfield were very different when Liverpool secured a 1-0 victory over Arsenal in August, with back-to-back titles looming large, but Slot insisted there was still plenty of room for improvement in Thursday’s game.
“We still have a lot to play for in the Premier League but we are also in the FA Cup and the Champions League, and those are knockout games, they are games where you can play teams like Arsenal,” he said.
“So, also for that reason, it’s an important game for us to see where we are in a single game, to see where we are against a very, very good Arsenal. They have been very good for years and this season probably even better than previous years.”
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Slot highlighted Arsenal’s lack of weaknesses and versatility as their biggest strength. but believes his team has what it takes to win.
Dominik Szoboszlai won the match against Arsenal in August (Peter Byrne/PA)
“We beat Arsenal at home and I can think of many other games we won against very strong teams,” he said.
“We have to be completely ready because they are in a very positive fight and it is obvious that we are not, especially because we conceded a late goal again, but everyone is looking forward to this game.”
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Liverpool have struggled at both ends of the pitch this season, but Slot has hinted that centre-back cover will not be on the club’s shopping list in January.
“I don’t think there’s any manager in the world who would tell you: ‘I’m completely happy to only have two centre-backs available’, but you have to look at the bigger picture and the bigger picture is that we have signed an incredibly talented player in Giovanni Leoni who will be back next season,” he added.
“That’s the way this club works. It’s not that there are no limits to our spending. We have to do smart things.”