Arne Slot explains Hugo Ekitike substitution with Liverpool star chasing hat-trick
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Liverpool Echo IconSportFootballLiverpool FCArne Slot confirms Hugo Ekitike's second-half withdrawal was due to cramp after Liverpool beat Brighton 2-0Arne Slot has eased injury fears around Hugo Ekitike by confirming the two-goal striker was taken off with cramp in Saturday's 2-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion. Ekitike scored the Reds' quickest goal of the season when he dispatched after just 46 seconds against the Seagulls.And he followed it up with his 10th across all competitions with a second-half header from substitute Mohamed Salah's corner.The France international was withdrawn for Alexander Isak in the second half after pulling up with a problem, which Slot has now dismissed as cramp, meaning the No.22 will be available for next week's trip to Tottenham Hotspur.READ MORE: Arne Slot confirms new Liverpool injury blows after Brighton winREAD MORE: Arne Slot makes final Mohamed Salah decision ahead of Liverpool star's AFCON departure"Just before I took him off, there was a moment where he could hardly walk any more because of cramp," Slot said."So what I see with him and all the players we brought had to adapt to the Premier League because they are all young, maybe except for Alex (Isak) because of intensity, some of them had to adapt to Premier League and the Champions League.
"And I see all of them making progress in that, so Hugo had cramp today but I can assure you he did twice as much at the beginning of the season when I had to take him off with cramp as well and that is what this league brings as well."If you cannot be so intense for such a long time then it is so hard to win a game of football. The best athletes play in this league.
We are trying to prepare them more and more and I can see progress for all our signings."Liverpool moved up to sixth in the Premier League table with their victory over Fabian Hurzeler's Seagulls.For the latest Liverpool FC news and breaking news, visit liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/liverpool-fc. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @LivEchoLFC - the official Liverpool ECHO LFC Twitter account - for all the latest LFC news as it happens in real time.We're also on FaceookLiverpoolEchoLFC - your must-see LFC news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO.Listen to our podcasts by searching for 'Blood Red' wherever you get your podcasts.Sign up for one of the Liverpool Echo's free daily and weekly newsletters on Liverpool by clicking here.