Arne Slot hopeful French-Cameroonian Hugo Ekitike will be fit for Chelsea clash

Liverpool manager Arne Slot says he is optimistic that French striker Hugo Ekitike will recover in time for their Premier League meeting with Chelsea this weekend.

Ekitike, who has Cameroonian heritage despite representing France internationally, was forced off during Liverpool’s Champions League defeat to Galatasaray on Tuesday night after picking up a knock.

His fitness has now become a key concern for the Reds as they prepare for the high-profile clash.

Slot explained the circumstances of the injury after the game, saying: “He felt something when he had to reach for the ball.

“I think we all know which one it was when we were trying to force something. At that moment there was someone on the floor as well, so the referee blew his whistle and I wasn’t even thinking we had an injury, but Hugo felt something.”

The Dutch coach admitted there was uncertainty about the severity, stressing that the demands of full match intensity would be the real test.

“After the game, that’s always the difficult thing with these moments when players feel like it is not too bad, but when you just walk around it is something different than when you make a sprint or have to shoot on target. He said he couldn’t continue so we had to take him off. Let’s see how he is for the weekend.”

Liverpool’s injury worries deepened further with goalkeeper Alisson also limping out of the defeat.

Slot gave a bleak update, admitting the Brazilian is almost certain to miss the Chelsea fixture. “Normally, he will not be able to play Saturday. That’s 99.9 per cent – I’ve already said 100 per cent, but let’s make it 99.9, although I think it’s 100.”

The absence of Alisson would be a major blow for Liverpool, leaving Slot with the challenge of reshuffling his line-up while waiting anxiously on Ekitike’s fitness.