Hugo Ekitike's Shocking Absence from Liverpool's Arsenal Clash Explained
Hugo Ekitiké remains unavailable for Liverpool's lineup for the consecutive match, as the Merseyside club travels to face the Premier League table-toppers at the Emirates Stadium this Thursday evening.
Ekitiké was sidelined during the weekend's stalemate with Fulham, with Cody Gakpo stepping into the Frenchman's position as Liverpool's central striker and netting what spectators at Craven Cottage believed was a decisive late goal. However, Harrison Reed had different plans, firing an even more dramatic leveler into the net's upper corner.
To date, Ekitiké has embodied the highlight of Liverpool's unprecedented 2025 summer recruitment drive, potentially the sole acquisition that can be deemed a clear triumph at this point. The club invested £79 million (106.1 million) to secure his services from Eintracht Frankfurt, and he has justified that expenditure through his goalscoring prowess.
His tally stands at 11 strikes in all tournaments wearing Liverpool colors, featuring five goals in his most recent five Premier League outings. His productivity and performances have proven especially vital during an otherwise difficult campaign for the team, considering Alexander Isak's poor form this term and subsequent leg fracture.
Hugo Ekitiké Dealing With Muscle Discomfort
Ekitiké was withdrawn from the Fulham encounter due to delayed onset muscle soreness, commonly referred to as DOMS, thought to be impacting his hamstring area.
The forward made the journey to London for the match, allegedly not receiving medical scan outcomes until he was aboard the aircraft, but ultimately did not participate.
During Arne Slot's press conference on Wednesday morning, he revealed that Ekitiké had been absent from team training sessions throughout the entire week leading up to that moment, one day prior to the fixture.
Cody Gakpo Takes Over Liverpool's Central Forward Role
Cody Gakpo has predominantly operated as a left-sided attacker since his Liverpool arrival three years prior, though has sporadically deputized in the central position when needed. With Isak also unavailable, the Netherlands international represents the sole viable option to occupy the striker's role.
Gakpo has found the net six times in all competitions during this campaign, with one of those coming in his sole previous appearance as a central forward—during last weekend's Fulham clash, as previously noted.
When Might Hugo Ekitiké Make His Liverpool Comeback?
This does not constitute a serious injury concern for Ekitiké to navigate. Slot suggested that if Liverpool weren't competing every few days, his striker could have potentially returned to action already—the chance to rejoin training when everything revolves around match readiness becomes more limited.
"I mentioned, I believe, two or three days back when we faced Fulham, that his absence won't be extended," Slot clarified. "However, due to the rapid succession of fixtures, he finds himself caught between possibly training with the squad or requiring an additional day or two."