Arne Slot shares Hugo Ekitike injury update after Liverpool striker forced off in tears

• Liverpool FC News
• Features
• Hugo Ekitike

The Frenchman seemed distraught as he made his way off the field at the Amex, leaving Liverpool without a striker for the vast majority of the game, as it fell to another Premier League loss

Arne Slot said he does not think Hugo Ekitike has suffered a serious injury at Brighton

Arne Slot has given a positive prognosis on Hugo Ekitike's injury and said he does not think the striker has suffered a serious problem.

Ekitike last just nine minutes at the Amex as Liverpool suffered another bruising Premier League defeat, as it was on the wring side of a 2-1 scoreline. The Frenchman collided with James Milner early in the game and appeared to suffered a dead leg.

He received prolonged on-field treatment from the Liverpool physios and then attempted to continue playing, before he had to make way for Curtis Jones.

Ekitike was distraught as he was substiuted and appeared to be in tears, promoting fears of a serious injury. However, Slot allayed those concerns when speaking after the game.

"I think the players and the fans know there are inly eight games to go, to qualify for the Champions League," the Liverpool head coach told TNT Sports.

"Every game that you have to miss is something you are upset about and I think him having to go off after one or two minutes, not being bale to help the team anymore, with something that is a bit of bad luck because it is not like he is out for out for three months, at least that is what I assume.

"But it is bad enough to not be able to continue and that’s a big blow fo him and for us."

Asked for his verdict on the game, Slot said: "The first half was an equal game - of course, it was a big blow for us that one of the two strikers we have available with Hugo and Alex, was already not here and then the other one has to go off after one or two minutes.

"That is usually not helpful, especially if you look at how well Hugo played on Wednesday. But the first half was an equal game and in the second half, Brighton was the better team."