Hugo Ekitike gives Liverpool reason to be cheerful as injury update emerges

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Liverpool.com or go back to LFC Live.

Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike appears optimistic that he has sidestepped a fitness concern following the team's 1-0 loss against Galatasaray. The Athletic's James Pearce used social media to ease fitness worries, posting: "Hugo Ekitike confident he only had cramp in his hamstring rather than anything more serious." Alexander Isak could replace Ekitike in the starting XI (Image: Getty Images) Liverpool will head into the clash against Enzo Maresca's outfit nursing its Turkish setback, which represents an unusual occurrence during Slot's reign after enduring consecutive disappointments.

Alisson Becker will be absent from the Chelsea game after being substituted late in the match, while there remains concern regarding Ekitike's condition, with Liverpool potentially facing the prospect of being without its leading scorer for Saturday's clash. "He felt something when he had to reach for the ball," said Slot.

"After the game, that's always the difficult thing with these moments when players feel like it is not too bad. "He said he couldn't continue, so we had to take him off.