Liverpool manager Arne Slot has delivered a concerning update on striker Hugo Ekitike's fitness, casting significant doubt over the forward's availability for the club's pivotal Premier League clash against leaders Arsenal.
Injury blow for the Reds
Ekitike was a notable absentee from the Liverpool squad that travelled to face Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday, 4th January 2026. The French forward was ruled out due to a hamstring problem, a direct consequence of an increased workload in recent weeks.
Slot confirmed the injury is linked to the extended absence of first-choice striker Alexander Isak, who suffered a broken leg in the match against Tottenham before Christmas. This has left Ekitike as the Dutch manager's only recognised senior striking option, forcing him to play a high volume of minutes.
Race against time for Arsenal
The central concern now is whether the 23-year-old can recover in time for the high-stakes encounter with Mikel Arteta's Arsenal on Thursday. While Slot expressed hope, he stopped short of offering any guarantees.
"Alexander Isak has been out for a few weeks now, and that has meant Hugo has had to play more minutes than he did throughout the whole season," Slot explained. "That has led to the fact that he picked up a slight hamstring injury because we had to play him more and more minutes."
He added a note of caution regarding the player's adaptation to English football: "For a player that is his age and is not used to the Premier League completely, that has been a bit too much. That is why he is out today and hopefully will be back for the Arsenal game, but that is not sure yet."
Broader implications for Liverpool
Ekitike's potential absence is a major blow for Liverpool's attacking plans. He is the club's top scorer this season with eight goals in eighteen Premier League appearances, having netted five times in a prolific five-game spell before a recent two-match drought.
In his absence against Fulham, Slot deployed Cody Gakpo as a central striker, supported by attacking midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz. This lack of a natural focal point contributed to a performance that prompted criticism from Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher.
Carragher argued the team was playing "with the handbrake on" and urged Slot to release the constraints following a previous goalless draw against Leeds. With the Arsenal fixture looming, the pressure is on to find a solution, whether Ekitike is fit or not.
The situation also highlights a worrying depth issue in Liverpool's squad. With Isak not expected back imminently, the club's title aspirations could hinge on managing Ekitike's fitness carefully or finding an alternative source of goals in the coming weeks.
