Liverpool’s growing injury list has been dealt another blow, with Hugo Ekitike still unavailable as concerns persist over the striker’s fitness. The French forward has yet to return to full first-team training, leaving manager Arne Slot facing difficult decisions as the Reds navigate a congested January schedule.
Ekitike has been struggling with a hamstring problem, an issue that has already forced him to miss key fixtures in both domestic and cup competitions. Despite initial optimism that the injury was minor, Liverpool’s medical staff have taken a cautious approach, unwilling to risk aggravating the problem by rushing him back into action.
Speaking ahead of recent matches, Slot acknowledged the situation, stressing that while the injury is not considered long-term, the timing is far from ideal. “We have to be careful,” the Liverpool head coach said, hinting that the forward may need additional recovery time before rejoining full training.
The 23-year-old’s absence has been felt keenly. Signed to add pace, movement and a cutting edge to Liverpool’s attack, Ekitike had begun to settle into his role before injury struck. With attacking options already stretched, his unavailability has reduced rotation possibilities and placed extra responsibility on the remaining forwards.
Liverpool supporters will be hoping for positive news in the coming days, particularly with crucial Premier League and FA Cup fixtures on the horizon. For now, however, Ekitike’s return remains uncertain — a reminder of how quickly momentum can stall during the demanding winter period.
The Reds continue to monitor his progress closely, but patience appears to be the priority as Liverpool look to avoid turning a short-term setback into a longer-lasting problem.
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