Ekitike’s Minor Injury Poses Challenge for Liverpool’s January Fixtures

Hugo Ekitike has been tasked with leading the frontline for Liverpool, showcasing remarkable talent during the 2025-26 season, his inaugural year in English football. The 23-year-old has made a significant impact, netting eight goals in 18 league appearances.

However, Ekitike will be unavailable for the upcoming match as Arne Slot’s squad travels to West London. Liverpool’s announcement regarding their starting lineup indicates that Ekitike is dealing with a “minor fitness issue.” This suggests that his absence may not be prolonged, especially considering the demanding January schedule ahead for the Reds. They began the new year with a goalless draw against Leeds and have eight additional fixtures lined up for January, commencing with a match against Fulham. Slot commented, “Hugo picked up a slight hamstring injury due to an increased workload. We are hopeful he will return for the game against Arsenal.”

In Ekitike’s absence, versatile Dutchman Cody Gakpo is expected to shift into a more central role against Fulham, a position he has successfully occupied before. Milos Kerkez and Alexis Mac Allister have also been reinstated to the squad, while Jeremie Frimpong and Andrew Robertson will start on the bench.

Despite not scoring in Liverpool’s recent outings against Wolves and Leeds, Ekitike’s presence will be missed. He had the opportunity to earn a penalty against Leeds but chose to remain on his feet during a challenge with Pascal Struijk. Slot remarked on this decision, emphasizing Liverpool’s commitment to honesty on the pitch: “He stayed on his feet. Had he gone down, it likely would have been a penalty, but we have often faced challenges with penalty calls this season, even when fouled.”

Slot further noted, “We have only received one penalty this season, which is surprising for a team that dominates possession. While I don’t believe in the idea that you always get what you deserve over a season, over multiple seasons, it tends to balance out. We are simply being ourselves and choosing to stay on our feet.”

Liverpool remains optimistic about Isak, the most expensive player in British football, returning to action this season. When asked about his confidence regarding Isak’s recovery, Slot responded, “It’s been a challenging period for him. Joining a new club comes with excitement and the desire to showcase your abilities, but that has been difficult due to a lack of training time. Transitioning into this league requires peak performance, and it has taken months to reach that level. It’s unfortunate that he is now injured, especially after he showed glimpses of his former self with goals against West Ham and Tottenham.”

Isak sustained a broken leg while scoring against Tottenham, marking only his third goal of the season. Ekitike has been pivotal in supporting the team’s attacking efforts, and Liverpool hopes to have him back in time for their challenging fixture against Premier League leaders Arsenal on January 8.