Arne Slot now has unexpected decision to make as injury angst speaks volumes

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So when one Liverpool player was led from the field by the medical team on Tuesday after undergoing lengthy treatment, the angst could probably be heard all the way from Merseyside to Istanbul.Except this isn't Alisson Becker, although the sight of the goalkeeper holding up his hand to request attention after yet another hamstring injury prompted an audible sigh of resignation among Liverpool supporters.Instead, the reaction to Hugo Ekitike being forced to depart the Champions League clash against Galatasaray long before the final whistle underlined how the France international has taken little time making an impact following his arrival from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer for a fee that could eventually reach £79m.READ MORE: Arne Slot reveals real Liverpool reason for £450m transfer spree - 'We didn't shut our eyes'READ MORE: Arne Slot makes Liverpool admission amid pundit criticism - 'I'm the first to acknowledge that'Fortunately, Ekitike ultimately appeared to be suffering from simply a bout of cramp and, having trained on Friday, is expected to be available for this evening's trip to Chelsea.And the Stamford Bridge clash represents potentially the first real indication of where Arne Slot sees the 23-year-old fitting into his attacking plans for the foreseeable.Fair to say Ekitike has surpassed expectations. It would have been testing enough to follow Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and, to a certain extent, Luis Diaz without Liverpool also pursuing a deal for Alexander Isak.But Ekitike made the most of the understandable delay in Isak eventually moving to Anfield, netting in his opening three games - the first Liverpool player to do so since Daniel Sturridge in 2013 - before the Swede made his £125m transfer.And with Isak still finding his feet after a summer spent in training isolation, Ekitike continued to step up with a derby goal against Everton and a late winner in the League Cup clash against Southampton.

Both player and team have benefited.That he was then sent off for a second bookable offence when removing his shirt in celebration was a rare misstep during a hugely encouraging few months as a Liverpool player.Ekitike's subsequent absence through suspension for the Premier League defeat at Crystal Palace highlighted his importance to this evolving team, the Reds missing his physical presence, ability to hold up the ball and, of course, scent for goal during a 2-1 defeat. His playing minutes are gradually being increased - Isak has featured in Liverpool's last five games - and his almost anonymous display as substitute against Galatasaray, in which he had only four touches, proved he and his new team-mates need to adjust to one another.That, as Slot has previously insisted, will only come from time on the pitch.

He is giving Slot options, even if he has spent just six minutes together on the pitch with Isak.Given, for varying reasons, both may not be at required fitness and sharpness levels for Chelsea, the big call may have to wait.Sooner rather than later, though, Liverpool will settle on their optimum attack. And Ekitike has done his cause no harm for inclusion - either with or without Isak.