Arne Slot reveals why Hugo Ekitike needed convincing on Liverpool plan as new Isak backup emerges

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Hugo Ekitike is Liverpool's only available senior striker following Alexander Isak's leg injury and Arne Slot has been impressed by the Frenchman's application on and off the pitch

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has lifted the lid on the extra work Hugo Ekitike has been putting in(Image: Getty Images)

Arne Slot is banking on a red-hot Hugo Ekitike to maintain his fitness and form during Alexander Isak's recovery from a broken leg, as the Liverpool striker prepares to spearhead the attack against Wolves this Saturday.

Ekitike, who has netted five goals in his last three Premier League outings, is now Slot's sole senior center forward option with Isak undergoing surgery for a broken leg, Cody Gakpo out of action, and Mohamed Salah representing Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Slot also mentioned Federico Chiesa's availability, but the versatile Italian has only made one Premier League start for the Reds since his transfer in August 2024.

No specific timeline has been set for Isak's recovery, but the forward will be sidelined for several months after surgery following an injury sustained in the 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.

Slot praised Ekitike's dedication to reach his current level for the Reds ahead of their clash with bottom-of-the-table Wolves this weekend, reports the Liverpool Echo.

"He's shown a lot of hard work to get to this fitness level where he is at the moment. It sometimes took us a bit of convincing (him) that this all is actually really needed to become stronger but he always did it," Slot commented.

Hugo Ekitike has five goals from his last three Premier League games(Image: Getty Images)

"Not always with a smile on his face but he's worked really hard to get fitter and fitter on and off the pitch. I've tried to convince him as well that the better you defend a set-piece, the bigger chance you have to score a goal at the other end.

"If it's 0-0, it's easier to score a goal than when you're 1-0 down. This might sound strange but what it does for the energy levels of the other team is a difference. For him to score goals, it's also important that we hardly concede from set-pieces.

"He's worked really hard to get where he is now and I think he's ready to go into the programme we are facing now but he's not the only No.9 I have. Federico Chiesa can also play in that position so I have the chance to take him off if he's completely tired."

Slot added: "The main thing that has changed [during a six-game unbeaten run], apart from the second half at Brighton, is that we haven't conceded as many chances as we did in the run we had before. I also think we've been a bit more lucky than in the games before.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot(Image: Getty Images)

"We played games where we were so much better than the other team, in terms of everything. The main thing people always look at is chance creation against chances you've conceded.

"In the last game against Spurs, I don't think we had many more chances than them and against Brighton, it was equal as well. But we won those two games.

"Many times, we've been so unlucky with the result. In the last two games, I wouldn't say we don't deserve it but it was more equal than many other games we've played and lost. That's the nice part of football that the performance doesn't always give you the result."