Speak via liverpoolfc.com Ahead of Monday night’s third round match against Barnsley, Arne Slot offered a series of fitness updates that subtly reflected how seriously we take the competition.
The Dutchman made it clear that the FA Cup will continue to exist “very important” to us, with the aim of selecting the strongest possible team at Anfield.
However, that ambition depends on the availability of Hugo Ekitike.
Ekitike fitness update shapes Liverpool squad
About the status of the French attacker, Slot said: “Hugo, that is not yet 100 percent certain, but we will do everything we can to have him available on Monday.”
Those words are important, because recent evidence shows how much we rely on our number 22.
Liverpool have won just 30% of competitive matches without Ekitike starting this season, compared to a 63% win rate when the former Eintracht Frankfurt striker is named in the XI.
That contrast helps explain why Slot is pushing to have him available, even if caution is still evident.
Ekitike’s absence highlights wider injury concerns at Liverpool
The broader context is not encouraging.
Conor Bradley’s season-ending knee injury, confirmed after scans revealed significant ligament and bone damage, has already forced us to reconsider defensive depth going forward.
Slot also confirmed that Jayden Danns remains unavailable and explained that the young striker is “not fit enough” and still not training after a stress fracture.
That caution at Danns was explicitly linked to the careful management of Rio Ngumoha, who is now limited to two days a week on the field to avoid a repeat of the scenario.
There was slightly more optimism surrounding Wataru Endo, with the Japan midfielder expected to return to training after a two-month absence, while Mo Salah’s recent minutes were also recognised.
Friday night’s Liverpool U21 squad added another layer, suggesting several promising youngsters would not be considered for the match in Barnsley.
All this makes the Ekitike update particularly important.
If our number 22 is available, Slot has already suggested that he will be “one of the options” This reinforces the sense that Liverpool intend to treat this tie as more than a routine cup commitment.
It will become clear on Monday evening whether that intention translates into selection.
Join our readers channel on WhatsApp to receive the most important stories of the day directly on your mobile
#Arne #Slot #Ekitike #important #Barnsley