Ekitike, Alisson, Wirtz & Gomez - Liverpool injury news ahead of West Ham clash

Liverpool lost 4-1 to PSV in the Champions League.

Hugo Ekitike had to be removed from Liverpool’s Champions League match against PSV due to a back injury, according to Arne Slot, which caused the struggling Reds to endure yet another blow.

An injury to newcomer Ekitike made Liverpool’s Champions League night even more challenging as they suffered a crushing loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.

The forward struggled to impact the game and was substituted off in the 61st minute, with the team already behind in the game, after Liverpool’s pressing intensity significantly decreased during the second half.

He left, and PSV took advantage of the change in momentum. They scored twice more, giving the Reds a disastrous outcome.

It was soon apparent that something was awry with Hugo Ekitike, who had returned to the starting lineup and was supposed to give much-needed attacking energy.

Arne Slot provides Hugo Ekitike injury update

After the game, Slot acknowledged that he had noticed a problem with Hugo Ekitike practically immediately after the interval.

“They don’t expect that it has to be a big issue, but the games come fast so let’s see for the weekend. But it shouldn’t have to be a big issue.”

Slot continued by disclosing the early onset of the issue: “And he just told me that in the first five to 10 minutes of the first half he already felt his back too much. That’s also why he had to go out.”

Other Liverpool injury update

Due to illness, goalkeeper Alisson Becker was absent from Wednesday night’s Champions League loss to PSV Eindhoven.

Florian Wirtz, who had missed the previous game against Nottingham Forest due to a muscle ailment, was also unavailable for that match.

Speaking at his pre-West Ham press conference on Thursday, head coach Arne Slot said: “Ali trained again with the team today, so we hope and expect him to be available at the weekend.”

“Florian will have his final day of rehab tomorrow. So, if that all goes well, he could train with the team on Saturday.”

“Joe Gomez close,” said Slot. “He could have been involved yesterday as well in terms of minutes. But when we are 2-1 or 3-1 down, I tend to make offensive substitutions.”

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.