Arne Slot warned he cannot replace Liverpool star after 'world class' moment

Injuries are taking their toll on Liverpool's squad, and with Alexander Isak likely to be out of the picture for some time, Arne Slot has been warned that one of his players could be irreplaceable

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has been warned one of his players could be irreplaceable if he gets injured(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool has been warned it won’t be able to replace Hugo Ekitike should the striker pick up an injury at some point during the remainder of the season.

The Reds are already struggling with the absences of a number of key players, including Mohamed Salah, who is currently away on Africa Cup of Nations Duty, and won’t be back at least until Egypt has played its last-16 tie on January 5.

Injuries are also taking their toll though, with Alexander Isak among those on the sidelines after undergoing surgery, having broken his leg while scoring in the recent win over Tottenham.

The Swedish international faces a lengthy spell out of the side as a result, leaving Ekitike as the only recognized striker in Arne Slot’s squad for the time being.

The Frenchman has made a positive impact since arriving from Eintracht Frankfurt and has unquestionably been Liverpool’s best signing of the summer so far, having scored 11 goals across all competitions.

Not only that, but he helped one of his fellow new arrivals finally get off the mark at the weekend, having assisted Florian Wirtz for his first goal for the club.

Hugo Ekitike assisted Florian Wirtz for his first Liverpool goal against Wolves(Image: AFP or licensors)

Without Isak though, there is added pressure on Ekitike now, and Paul Merson fears for the Reds should the 23-year-old also pick up an injury.

The former Arsenal star told Sportskeeda: “I must also mention Hugo Ekitike, who has been outstanding since his first game at Liverpool. That assist for Wirtz in the last game is just world-class!

“Liverpool will be hoping Ekitike doesn't get injured because if he's out, they have no one to do what he does!”

Slot has played down fears over the increased workload Ekitike will face without Isak, having also suggested that he has another option elsewhere in his squad. The Liverpool boss though will be hoping the work he’s put in with Ekitike isn’t ruined by injury.

"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 said last week.

Hugo Ekitike has scored 11 goals since joining Liverpool in the summer(Image: 2025 Liverpool FC)

"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."