Hugo Ekitike has been left out of the Liverpool squad taking on Fulham in the Premier League this afternoon.
Liverpool are looking to get back to winning ways in the league after a disappointing and uninspiring goalless draw at home to Leeds United on New Year’s Day.
Despite that, Arne Slot’s side are now unbeaten in the league in seven matches and now sit fourth in the table, albeit still 15 points behind league leaders Arsenal.
Ahead of kick-off in their clash with Fulham, though, Liverpool were dealt a major blow after Ekitike was ruled out of the matchday squad.
According to Liverpool’s website, the Frenchman ‘misses out due to a minor fitness issue’.
Asked about Ekitike’s injury pre-match, Slot said: ‘Hugo picked up a slight hamstring injury because we had to play him more and more minutes.
‘Hopefully he will be back for the Arsenal game.’
Fulham vs Liverpool team news
Fulham starting XI: Leno; Diop, Andersen, Cuenca, Castagne; Lukic, Cairney; Robinson, Wilson, Swith Rowe; Jimenez
Subs: Lecomte, McNally, Amissah, Reed, Berge, Ridgeon, Adama, Kevin, Kusi-Asare.
Liverpool: Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones; Mac Allister; Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Wirtz
Subs: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Gomez, Ramsay, Robertson, Nyoni, Ngumoha, Frimpong, Chiesa.
Ekitike has scored eight league goals so far this season and is in a rich vein of form, with five in his last five starts.
In his place, Cody Gakpo comes into the starting lineup and could lead the line for Slot’s side.
Florian Wirtz was an injury doubt for Sunday’s clash, but the German is passed fit to start.
Alexis Mac Allister returns to the team in place of Jeremie Frimpong, while Milos Kerkez is preferred to Andy Robertson at left-back.
Fulham, meanwhile, have made three changes from their 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace in midweek.
Prefer us to the others? Then tell Google!
As a loyal Metro reader, we want to make sure you never miss our stories when searching for your news. Whether it is the latest politics news explained, live football coverage or a showbiz scoop.
Click here and tick Metro.co.uk to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.
Issa Diop, Timothy Castagne, and Tom Cairney all come in for Kevin, Kenny Tete, and Sander Berge.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
