Hugo Ekitike injury latest as major Liverpool hint dropped for Chelsea
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Liverpool Echo IconSportFootballLiverpool FCLiverpool are hopeful Hugo Ekitike will be available for Saturday's Premier League clash at Chelsea after being forced off against GalatasarayHugo Ekitike could be available for Liverpool's showdown at Chelsea this weekend after being named in France's squad for their forthcoming internationals. Ekitike, who made his debut for his country's senior side last month, is in a 23-man party for the World Cup qualifiers at home to Azerbaijan and away at Iceland next week.Ekitike had prompted concern when he injured himself stretching for possession midway through the second half of Liverpool's 1-0 Champions League defeat at Galatasaray on Tuesday evening.The 23-year-old striker underwent lengthy treatment on the field before being replaced by Alexis Mac Allister.READ MORE: Liverpool have new Philippe Coutinho to be unleashed and January transfer now inevitableREAD MORE: Alisson Becker injury hint dropped as Liverpool wait on scan resultsWhile Liverpool boss Arne Slot was cautious over the severity of the problem, it is understood the player believed after the game he only suffered from cramp and had avoided a serious issue.And that Ekitike has been given another call-up by France head coach Didier Deschamps suggests the striker - who has five goals in nine games since arriving in a £79million deal from Eintracht Frankfurt - has a chance of being considered for Saturday's Premier League trip to Chelsea as Liverpool look to avoid a third successive defeat inside a week.The Reds are already without Alisson Becker, who has undergone scans on a hamstring problem sustained in Istanbul that could sideline him for an extended period, and teenage centre-back Giovanni Leoni, who is out for the season having this week had an operation to repair ACL damage.Slot, though, is hopeful Federico Chiesa is back after stating the Italian missed out in midweek due to a minor knock.For the latest news and breaking news, visit liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/liverpool-fc.
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