Arne Slot Reveals Hugo Ekitike Hamstring Injury and Explains Liverpool Star's Absence from Fulham Clash

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has disclosed that the club's top scorer, Hugo Ekitike, suffered a slight hamstring injury, ruling him out of Sunday's Premier League match against Fulham at Craven Cottage[1][2][3]. The 23-year-old French forward, who has become a key figure in Liverpool's attack, was absent from the matchday squad due to this fitness issue.

Slot explained that Ekitike's heavy workload stemmed from teammate Alexander Isak's prolonged absence. Isak, the Swedish international, has been sidelined for several weeks with muscular complaints, culminating in a broken leg two weeks prior[1][2]. This forced Ekitike to lead the line, starting Liverpool's previous six fixtures in just 26 days and accumulating 1,643 minutes across all competitions this season—more than he ever managed in his entire club career in France[1].

"Alexander Isak has been out for a few weeks now. That has meant that Hugo had to play more minutes than he did throughout the whole season. That has led to the fact that he picked up a slight hamstring injury... For a player that's his age and is not used to the Premier League completely, that has been a bit too much," Slot told Sky Sports[1][2].

The decision to rest Ekitike was a late call, as Slot noted ahead of kick-off[3]. Liverpool's squad has been plagued by injuries this season, including Isak's issues and a minor muscle problem for Florian Wirtz[1]. Notably, summer signing Milos Kerkez remains the only first-team recruit yet to suffer an injury, benefiting from his prior Premier League experience at Bournemouth[1].

With a packed schedule ahead—including a daunting midweek trip to Arsenal—Slot is hopeful Ekitike could return, though availability is "definitely not sure yet"[1][2]. This injury underscores the challenges of fixture congestion for the Dutch boss's high-flying Reds.

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