Liverpool injury latest and possible return dates including Hugo Ekitike and Wataru Endo

Liverpool injury latest and possible return dates including Hugo Ekitike and Wataru Endo ahead of Arne Slot's team traveling to Arsenal in the Premier League on Thursday

Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike.(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike could feature against Arsenal in the Premier League on Thursday despite the Frenchman having to sit out the trip to Fulham this weekend.

Ekitike had a scan ahead of the visit to Craven Cottage, with Liverpool receiving the news that he would be unable to take part in the 2-2 draw while on the flight down to London. As a result, Ekitike was present in the capital, but it was determined that he wasn't ready to be named in the matchday squad, even as a substitute.

"He traveled because he felt something during the training session," Slot said during his post-match press conference in Fulham.

"He felt something during the MRI scan, and we got the results when we were flying. We were hoping it was a bit of DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness), which he also had.

"Why? Because Alex (Isak) has been out. Since Alex has been out, he doesn’t play 60 or 70 minutes and sometimes gets a bit of rest.

"He has to play 80 or 90 minutes every single game for the first time in his life without a winter break and for the first time, at Champions League level. It’s not a big surprise he gets a bit of DOMS.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot.(Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

"We were hoping it would be DOMS, and we could have used him as a sub. But, unfortunately, we saw a bit more and couldn’t take a risk.

"Florian [Wirtz] had the same last week when we put him in an MRI scan, and it was only DOMS. He didn't have anything, but he is also for the first time experiencing this program.

"If I don't have that many players, I would like the ones I do have available and play them as many minutes as I can realistically. That's what I tried to do today."

Before kick-off, Slot had detailed that is was yet to be confirmed whether Ekitike would be back for the game at the Emirates Stadium. That decision will be taken later this week.

Elsewhere, Wataru Endo is sidelined at the moment with an ankle issue, with no return date set for him yet. The Japanese midfielder would be expected to start against Barnsley in the FA Cup in a week, but he may not be fit by then.

Cody Gakpo and Joe Gomez have both returned to action after injuries in recent games, as has Conor Bradley. Jeremie Frimpong has also looked sharp since making his comeback.

Alexander Isak and Giovanni Leoni are both long-term absentees with leg injuries. The former should play again this season, while the latter is not expected to return to the fold until the summer.

Mohamed Salah, meanwhile, remains at AFCON. Egypt plays Benin later today in the last-16, with the Liverpool ace set to return to the starting XI after being rested for the final group phase game with the Pharoahs already having topped the standings.