Every word Arne Slot said on Hugo Ekitike fitness and Harvey Elliott return

The Liverpool head coach spoke at length ahead of the Arsenal game and was also asked about the club's center-back options, current form, and the threat posed by the Gunners

Arne Slot spoke to the media ahead of Liverpool's clash against Arsenal(Image: Getty Images)

Arne Slot returned to the AXA Training Centre on Wednesday for his first press conference of 2026 and was not short of talking points.

The Liverpool head coach’s usual pre-match briefings were held immediately after games during the festive period, meaning reporters have not descended on the Reds’ Kirkby training base since before Christmas.

Ahead of the Arsenal game, Slot was quizzed on the team’s current form, his expectations for 2026, whether the club has sufficient resources for the second half of the season, if Liverpool would consider signing a center-back in January, and he was also pressed on Harvey Elliott's next steps. Here’s what Slot had to say on the most pressing topics...

Hugo Ekitike to return?

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

Unbeaten run

“It is nine games unbeaten, but we have definitely had two draws too many. Where are we? I think I've said so many times that the answer to that question is we aren't where we want to be, but I feel we have a very talented squad. If everyone's available and ready, then I think we can do special things.

Slot still believes Liverpool his Liverpool squad has real depth and talent(Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

“I think we've also shown that this season because we've got quite a lot of impressive wins, but we've also had unimpressive draws and losses. We haven't had the consistency, but we've already beaten some very good teams, so that tells you the talent is definitely there, but the consistency isn't.”

Arsenal's main strengths

“That is interesting. Maybe is their main that they have so many strengths or hardly have something that is weak? So they hardly concede goals. They can score from open play, they can score from set-pieces, have very good ideas on build-up, can play long ball, so they have the complete package. For that reason, in my opinion, they deserve to be on top this season.”

Can it still be a special season?

"Yes, of course. There are so many times this club has shown when it didn’t have the greatest form in the league that they were able to win another trophy.

"Other clubs have shown this recently as well, that it is always possible because we have a very good and talented group and we have shown this season - Inter Milan away, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid at home, Aston Villa, who have won 18 from their last 20 games and only lost to us and Arsenal, and we’ve beaten Arsenal at home, so we’ve shown that we can compete with almost every team.

"Maybe there was one exception, but also maybe that’s because there was a goal disallowed from us just before half-time that shouldn’t have been disallowed, and that was [Manchester] City away.

"But in all, the other games we have been competitive with everyone, we haven’t had the consistency against the clubs where we usually win, and that is why we are 14 points behind Arsenal. Another challenge for us with players being out, but enough very good players available to go to Arsenal and make it a proper fight."

Style of football

“I find it really hard to hear, but it [boring] not that I would not completely disagree, I would use different words, and I would take certain things into account. I want to win as many trophies as I can, but I think I am also known for the fact that my teams always try to play attacking football and can only say they're trying to do so.

“But having a lot of ball possession, I've said many times, doesn't mean you play attacking football.... That does mean you try to play attacking football because you try to win the ball back as soon as you can, and when you have it, you try to create something. We are struggling to create a lot of chances. But I've said many times, we are not the only team that struggles to create a lot of chances. I don’t think the number we create is that different to some other teams that are doing really well.

Harvey Elliott's future was a topic of discussion again(Image: Getty Images)

“But I don’t like to hear this, of course. One thing I would like is us winning a lot of games, but also us playing an attractive style of football, which we have also done this season. We have to find a way against teams [who play] in not an attractive way, which is, of course, maybe even smart for them to do. We have to find answers to that, and that's we haven’t found enough yet, but we are working on that every single day to improve that.”

Harvey Elliott's return?

“I think the answer is going to be the same as Marc Guehi. You should ask Unai Emery. Liverpool has no recall option.”

Are reinforcements needed?

"I am really happy with the squad we have. All the decisions made last summer and the summer before are completely aligned with me, Richard, and the ownership. This season has shown how talented this group is, and if everyone is available, how good a team we can be.

"There is nothing, nothing, nothing positive from players being injured, but maybe if I can think about the narrative that we have spent so much money and every time I say, 'No, we replaced and spent a little bit more than came in' - and no one wanted to hear it.

"But maybe now for the first time people do see we replaced and with very good players. The last game and the games before, I could impact the game from the bench because Jeremie Frimpong came in and gave an assist, and the players that are starting are incredible football players. This club is in a very good place if everyone is available - and we are getting stronger and stronger - for the short-term future, but definitely also for the mid to long-term future."

Center-back options

“Joe [Gomez] is back, so that is already a big help. No manager would tell you they are completely happy they have only two centre-backs available. But you have to look at the bigger picture, and we have signed an unbelievable player in Giovanni Leoni, who will be back next season.

“This is the way this club works. As much as has been said about our spending last summer, it is not that there is no limitation to us spending. We have to do smart things, and this club has always tried to do smart things to keep up with the teams we want to compete with. There's no difference now.

"But in an ideal world, you'd have more than two centre-backs available, but sometimes things work out in the way it can happen now, and you have to accept that situation. Jurgen [Klopp] had a few problems at center-back, and he played there who were either midfielders and players who [Nat Phillips] he played a lot. So that has been Liverpool for all these years and that has not changed."