Arne Slot issues Hugo Ekitike injury update ahead of Liverpool clash vs Arsenal

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The Liverpool head coach was asked about Hugo Ekitike's fitness levels before the encounter at the Emirates, after the striker missed the trip to Fulham at the weekend

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Arne Slot has revealed Hugo Ekitike remains a doubt for Liverpool's Premier League encounter against Arsenal.

The striker was forced to sit out the trip to Fulham last weekend, despite traveling to the capital, with results of a scan showing he was suffering from DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness).

Slot said after the 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage that Ekitike was a doubt for the Arsenal encounter, and was asked for an update in Wednesday's pre-match briefing.

"He has not trained with us until now and let’s see if he can today. I have said after Fulham that he is not going to be out for long but because games come so fast he is between returning to training or could take two or three days."

Should Ekitike miss out at the Emirates, Cody Gakpo will likely continue in a no.9 role, as he did at Fulham on Sunday.

The Dutchman bundled in Jeremie Frimpong's injury-time cross to net what Liverpool had expected to be the winner, before Harrison Reed's thunderbolt rescued a point for Fulham.

Liverpool will also be without Wataru Endo for Thursday's game, along with the long-term absentees of Giovanni Leoni and Alexander Isak. Mohamed Salah remains with the Egypt national squad at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Florian Wirtz has also been struggled with fitness issues recently but is expected to be fit for the clash against Arsenal.

There will be more to follow on this breaking news story and Liverpool.com will bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video as soon as possible.

Please check back regularly for updates on this developing story as they happen.

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