Liverpool dealt massive injury blow as Hugo Ekitike ruled OUT of Arsenal clash

Liverpool will be without Hugo Ekitike for their Premier League showdown with Arsenal on Thursday evening.

The Reds travel to the Emirates Stadium for a clash with the current league leaders with their attacking options already depleted. Alexander Isak is out with a long-term issue, while Mohamed Salah is still at the African Cup of Nations.

Liverpool 's crisis has now grown further, with top scorer Ekitike sidelined once more after missing the draw with Fulham . Cody Gakpo leads the line for the Reds in his place.

Speaking ahead of the game, Liverpool boss Arne Slot said: “He [Ekitike] has not trained with us until now and let’s see if he can today [Wednesday].

“I’ve said, I think, two or three days ago when we played Fulham that he is not going to be out for long but because games come so fast he is in between maybe training with the team or it would take him one or two days extra.”

Ekitike has enjoyed a brilliant first season since a summer move from Eintracht Frankfurt. The Frenchman has scored 11 goals during his debut campaign.

Ekitike is not the only first-team star ruled out. Wataru Endo is struggling with an ankle injury so is sidelined, while defender Giovani Leoni remains out until at least the end of the season.

When it comes to the Liverpool side, Slot has selected Alisson in goal, while Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez assemble the defence.

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A three-man midfielder of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Alliser and Dominik Szoboszlai are selected, while Jeremie Frimpong has been pushed forwards into attack. Florian Wirtz will act as provider for Gakpo.

When it comes to the Gunners, they have named a relatively recognisable XI, with Piero Hincapie claiming the left-back berth.

Martin Zubimendi is joined in mdfielder by Declan Rice and captain Martin Odegaard. Bukayo Saka , Leandro Trossard and Viktor Gyokeres assemble the frontline.

Liverpool would remain in fourth with a win against Arsenal, albeit would cut the gap to Aston Villa to six points. Arsenal in the meantime could extend their advantage over Manchester City to eight points should they secure victory.

Liverpool starting XI vs Arsenal: Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Frimpong, Wirtz, Gakpo.

Arsenal starting XI vs Liverpool: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Trossard, Gyokeres.

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