Liverpool is confronted with a crucial weekend in the Premier League, with the inclusion of Hugo Ekitike in the French team for their upcoming world cup qualifications that offer a potential boost for the trip to Stamford Bridge.
The 23-year-old striker, who made his senior debut for Les Bleus during last month’s international break, was mentioned in the 23-man team for the home game of France against Azerbaijan and their road match in Iceland, which suggests that the knock he sustained during Liverpool’s Midweek Vrees League-League, was not the first.
The Ekitike injury took place halfway through the second half in Istanbul, when he seemed to pull as he extended the ball. The summer signing of £ 79 million from Eintracht Frankfurt was forced after a long treatment on the field, where Alexis Mac Allister took his place. After the game, Liverpool manager Arne Slot was careful about the seriousness of the striker’s problem, but offered hope:
“He felt something when he had to reach the ball, I think we all know what time it was. When we tried to force something, I thought I couldn’t get such a long time, on the other hand there was someone on the floor, the referee blew his whistle and I didn’t really think we had an injury, but Hugo felt something.”
Although the first fear had been worried, Ekitike is said to believe that he was only suffering from cramps instead of a hamstring crack or tension.
James Pearce of the athletics wrote on social media: “Hugo Ekitike trust that he only had cramps in his hamstring instead of something more serious.”
The subsequent call-up of the striker to the Didier Deschamps team also adds weight to the idea that he can be fit on time for the crucial Premier League collision of Liverpool in Chelsea.
However, Liverpool has to deal with a series of injury problems at a special delicate moment in the season. Goalkeeper Alisson Becker was forced during the same match in Turkey with a potential hamstring injury while trying an essential rescue. Slot confirmed that the Brazilian will miss the Chelsea.
“It is never positive if you leave. You can be sure that he will not play on Saturday. We will see how long it takes, but he will certainly not play against Chelsea.
Alisson has also been omitted from the international team of Brazil, indicating that the problem can keep him for a longer period. His absence is a great concern for Liverpool, which relies on the Brazilian as a key figure, both in terms of shot stopping and organizational influence at the back.
In addition to Alisson, Liverpool’s Teenage Center-back Giovanni Leoni is another absent in the long term, which has undergone ACL operation earlier this week.
Federico Chiesa, who missed the midweek collision in Turkey with a small knock, is expected to return to Chelsea and offers some reassurance for lock while considering his team selection.
The recent form of Liverpool adds extra pressure. The Reds suffered back-to-back defeats, first in Crystal Palace and then against Galatasaray in the Champions League, leaving them only two points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal. The upcoming collision at Stamford Bridge not only offers an opportunity to regain momentum, but also a crucial test of the resilience and depth of the team in the midst of injuries.
Although the focus remains on Ekitike, the defensive concern of Liverpool cannot be overlooked. The absence of both Alisson and Leoni means that Back -Up goalkeeper Giorgi Mhaldashvili and the remaining defensive options must stand up against a Chelsea side that has proven to be powerful in transition and on set pieces. Slot will have to balance his line -up carefully to maintain defensive stability and at the same time guarantee sufficient attacking threat.
The press conference of Slot on Friday at 9 am in the VK offers further clarity about the fitness of his team, including Ekitike and Chiesa. Until that time, Liverpool -fans can carefully take the intake of the striker into the French team, which suggests that he has recovered sufficiently to continue his momentum of a promising start for life in Anfield.
The Chelsea match not only represents an opportunity to climb back on the Premier League table, but also a chance for Liverpool to send a message that they remain competitive despite recent setbacks.
#Hugo #Ekitike #Injury #Update #Sparks #Liverpool #Boost