{"id":356512,"date":"2026-01-07T06:05:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-07T06:05:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/356512\/"},"modified":"2026-01-07T06:05:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T06:05:12","slug":"liverpool-could-be-without-five-players-for-arsenal-after-injury-setback","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/356512\/","title":{"rendered":"Liverpool could be without five players for Arsenal after injury setback"},"content":{"rendered":"

Arne Slot is waiting for an update on the fitness of his Liverpool players ahead of the Premier League clash against Arsenal\"LiverpoolLiverpool head coach Arne Slot(Image: Jacques Feeney\/Offside\/Offside via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Liverpool are back in action on Thursday evening with the trip to runaway Premier League<\/a> leaders Arsenal. And the Reds are still waiting to discover exactly who they can call upon for the game against the odds-on title favourites.<\/p>\n

The biggest question mark is over the fitness of Hugo Ekitike. The France international, who is Liverpool’s top scorer with season with 11 goals, missed the 2-2 draw at Fulham on Sunday due to a hamstring complaint.<\/p>\n

Reds head coach Arne Slot, though, is hopeful the striker will be available for the clash at the Emirates.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: Pep Guardiola drops Man City transfer hint over Marc Guehi as Liverpool stance explained<\/a>READ MORE: Oliver Glasner changes tune about Marc Guehi transfer as Man City could force Liverpool’s hand<\/a><\/p>\n

“It\u2019s not a big surprise he gets a bit of DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness),” said Slot.<\/p>\n

“We were hoping it would be DOMS and we could have used him as a sub but, unfortunately, we saw a bit more and couldn\u2019t take a risk.”<\/p>\n

Ekitike’s availability would be a major bonus with Alexander Isak out for several months as he recovers from surgery on an ankle injury that included a fractured fibula after being caught by Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven when scoring Liverpool’s opener in the 2-1 away win before Christmas.<\/p>\n

Florian Wirtz is expected to continue after being able to feature and score at Fulham despite suffering similar hamstring soreness over the Christmas period.<\/p>\n

However, Mohamed Salah<\/a> remains on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Egypt having this week progressed to the quarter-finals while teenage centre-back Giovanni Leoni is ruled out for the season after ACL surgery in September.<\/p>\n

Wataru Endo also remains unavailable having missed the last month with an ankle complaint sustained in the 3-3 draw at Leeds United.<\/p>\n

Arsenal, meanwhile, will be without three players. Defenders Riccardo Calafiori and Cristhian Mosquera are sidelined along with 16-year-old rising star Max Dowman.<\/p>\n

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