Arne Slot has provided an update on the injury that forced Hugo Ekitike off just minutes into Liverpool’s defeat at Brighton on Saturday afternoon at the Amex Stadium.
The Reds forward was visibly emotional as he left the pitch shortly after kick-off, with some home fans jeering as he headed down the tunnel.
His early exit further weakened Liverpool’s attack, especially with Mo Salah already missing the match.
However, Slot has eased concerns about the seriousness of the problem.
The Liverpool boss explained that the 23-year-old only suffered a dead leg after a collision with James Milner, and the issue was not as bad as it first appeared.Speaking after the game, Slot said:
He could play tomorrow if needed. It was just a dead leg from the collision.
That’s why he had to come off.
It wasn’t ideal.”Liverpool clearly missed Ekitike’s sharpness in attack as they slipped to another disappointing defeat, struggling to match Brighton’s intensity and energy throughout the game.
The positive news is that the French striker is not expected to be out for long and should be fit after the international break, which means he could be available for the FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City on 4 April if there are no setbacks.
Ekitike has carried most of the responsibility up front in recent months following Alexander Isak’s broken leg, and although Isak is expected back soon, he may need time to regain full fitness.
For Liverpool, avoiding a serious injury to Ekitike comes as a relief, as they will need him at his best if they hope to rescue anything from what has been a very difficult season.
