Liverpool have been dealt a major blow ahead of their crunch Premier League clash with Arsenal, as manager Arne Slot revealed that star striker Hugo Ekitike is a significant doubt for the trip to the Emirates Stadium.
The Reds were held to a frustrating 2-2 draw at Fulham on Sunday, a result that leaves them trailing league leaders Arsenal by a whopping 15 points in the title race. With Mohamed Salah away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations and Alexander Isak sidelined long-term, Ekitike’s potential absence could further hamper Liverpool’s attacking options as they look to close the gap on the high-flying Gunners.
Ekitike, Liverpool’s top scorer this season with an impressive haul since his big-money summer move, missed the Fulham game due to a hamstring issue initially described as minor muscle soreness. However, in a fresh update that has sent shockwaves through the fanbase, Slot admitted the Frenchman has yet to return to full training and his participation against Arsenal on January 8 remains touch-and-go.
Liverpool have been dealt a major blow ahead of their crunch Premier League clash with Arsenal, as manager Arne Slot revealed that star striker Hugo Ekitike is a significant doubt for the trip to the Emirates Stadium.
The Reds were held to a frustrating 2-2 draw at Fulham on Sunday, a result that leaves them trailing league leaders Arsenal by a whopping 15 points in the title race. With Mohamed Salah away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations and Alexander Isak sidelined long-term, Ekitike’s potential absence could further hamper Liverpool’s attacking options as they look to close the gap on the high-flying Gunners.
Ekitike, Liverpool’s top scorer this season with an impressive haul since his big-money summer move, missed the Fulham game due to a hamstring issue initially described as minor muscle soreness. However, in a fresh update that has sent shockwaves through the fanbase, Slot admitted the Frenchman has yet to return to full training and his participation against Arsenal on January 8 remains touch-and-go.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Slot said: “Hugo has not trained with us until now. Let’s see if he can today. I’ve said two or three days ago when we played Fulham that he is not going to be out for long, but because the games come so fast, he is in between maybe training with the team, or it might take him one or two days extra.”
The Dutch boss had initially played down the injury after Ekitike underwent an MRI scan, expressing hope that the 23-year-old could feature against Arsenal. But this U-turn has raised concerns, especially with Liverpool’s forward line already stretched thin amid a challenging campaign.
Here’s all the latest Liverpool injury news and potential return dates…
Hugo Ekitike Ekitike sat out the draw at Fulham with what was initially termed delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) following a hamstring tweak in training. An MRI confirmed the issue, and while Slot insists it’s not a long-term problem, the striker’s lack of training this week makes him a major doubt for the Arsenal showdown. His absence would be a huge loss, given his form as the Reds’ leading marksman.
Potential return date: January 8 vs Arsenal (H) – doubtful, or January 11 vs Tottenham (A) if extra recovery is needed.
Alexander Isak The British record signing has been ruled out indefinitely after undergoing surgery on an ankle injury that included a fractured fibula. The Swede suffered the setback after scoring in the win over Tottenham last month and faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
“He’s going to be out for a while, unfortunately,” Slot confirmed previously. “It’s a complicated injury, and we’re looking at weeks, possibly months.”
Potential return date: March 2026 (TBC)
Mohamed Salah Liverpool’s talismanic winger is currently representing Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations. If his nation reaches the final, he could remain unavailable until mid-January, adding to the Reds’ attacking woes.
Potential return date: January 18 (post-AFCON final) or earlier depending on Egypt’s progress.
Wataru Endo The Japanese midfielder has been absent since suffering an ankle injury in the 3-3 draw at Leeds United on December 6. Endo has missed several key fixtures, and there’s no immediate timeline for his return as he continues rehabilitation.
Potential return date: Late January 2026 (TBC)
Stefan Bajcetic The young Spaniard has endured another setback, this time requiring a new rehabilitation program after a hamstring surgery complication in early January. Bajcetic, who has struggled with fitness issues in recent years, is not expected back in first-team contention until next month, likely starting with U21 minutes.
Potential return date: February 2026
Joe Gomez The versatile defender picked up a hamstring injury against Brighton in December and has been sidelined since. Gomez’s absence has impacted Liverpool’s defensive depth, with Slot admitting it’s “more serious than first thought.”
Potential return date: Mid-January 2026
Giovanni Leoni The summer arrival from Sampdoria suffered a devastating ACL tear in September, ruling him out for around a year. The young center-back is in the early stages of recovery and won’t feature again this season.
Potential return date: September 2026
With Arsenal flying high after their 3-2 win over Bournemouth and extending their lead at the top, Liverpool face an uphill battle. Slot will be hoping for positive news on Ekitike in the coming hours, but this latest bombshell underscores the injury crisis gripping Anfield as they prepare for a pivotal encounter.