Ekitike’s latest injury + Wilson’s return again

Hugo Ekitike (£9.1m) failed for Liverpool on Sunday, as Arne Slot’s side and Fulham played out a 2-2 draw.

Here are our Scout Notes from Craven Cottage.

SLOTS AT EKITIKE

Ekitike did not play for Liverpool due to a minor hamstring injury caused by his recent workload.

Speaking to Sky Sports before kick-off, Slot said:

“Alexander Isak has been out for a few weeks. That means that Hugo has had to play more minutes than he has all season. That led to the fact that he had a bit of a hamstring injury, because we had to play him more and more minutes. For a player of his age and not yet used to the full Premier League, it’s already too much. So, that’s why he’ll be out today and hopefully be back for the Arsenal game, but that’s obviously not certain yet.” – Arne Slots at Hugo Ekitike

The slot provided further clarity on the matter after the game:

“Yes, [Hugo] traveling because he felt something during a training session, so he had an MRI scan and we got the results when we flew. We hope it’s just a little DOMS [Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness]which he also has. Why? Because Alex [Isak] has been out and since Alex came out [Hugo] not playing 70 minutes or 60 minutes or sometimes getting a little rest. He has to play 80 or 90 minutes every game for the first time in his life at Premier League level, for the first time in his life without a winter break, for the first time in his life at Champions League level. So it’s no surprise that he then gets a little tired and gets DOMS.

“We were hoping it was just DOMS and then we could use him as a substitute, but unfortunately, we saw a lot more and you can’t take any chances. [Wirtz] had the same thing last week when we checked him with an MRI and it was just DOMS, so he had nothing. But he’s also experiencing the program for the first time and if I don’t have that many players, I want the players I do have to be available and play as much as possible, but realistically. That’s what I tried to do today.” – Arne Slots at Hugo Ekitike

Unfortunately for the Ekitike owner, we’re unlikely to hear any more from Slot ahead of Gameweek 21, with Liverpool not in action against Arsenal until Thursday.

WIRTZ + GAKPO RIGHT ON TARGET

With Ekitike and Alexander Isaac (£10.3 million) absent due to injury, the task of leading the front line falls on him Cody Agat (£7.3 million).

Behind the Dutch player, Curtis Jones (£5.4 million) played on the left, with Dominik Szoboszlai (£6.6 million) to the right and Florian Wirtz (£8.2m) assuming the No 10/playmaker role.

Above: Liverpool v Fulham average position map, including Szoboszlai (no 8), Wirtz (7), Jones (17) and Gakpo (18)

After a frustrating first half in which his header hit the post, Gakpo improved after the break and finally scored late on, pouncing on a substitute. Jeremie Frimpongcross (£5.7 million).

In total, he fired five shots, which was the most in this match, including two golden opportunities.

As for Wirtz, he scored a controversial equalizer after some incredible approach to play Conor Bradley (£5.0 million).

After not scoring a goal or providing an assist in his first 12 Premier League games, the German has now recorded three attacking returns in four Matchweeks, with another 10 points added to his tally on Sunday.

However, Slot’s concerns over Wirtz’s fitness were again evident at Craven Cottage, as he was substituted in the 75th minute, despite his team again chasing a goal.

ANOTHER WILSON BACK

Marco Silva made three changes for Fulham, with his team using a three/five back formation.

This also paid off, with a 3-4-2-1 system blocking Liverpool’s space in midfield.

They admittedly didn’t create many chances, producing just 0.74 expected goals (xG), but the former Liverpool player Harry Wilson (£5.8 million) was still able to put the hosts ahead.

After being played by Raul Jimenez (£6.2m), the Welshman took a touch and guided the ball into the bottom corner.

His shot also hit the goal post in the final minutes.

Wilson has now been directly involved in nine goals in his last eight games (four goals, five assists), tallying 57 points during that stretch (Gameweeks 13-20), the most of any player except Phil Foden (£8.9 million).

“Our first goal was brilliant. The combination, the counter-attack from Harry and Raul was top level, and again a great finish from Harry.

“Every time he touches the ball, he can do something magical for us – and he did it again.” – Marco Silva on Harry Wilson

Replacement Harrison Reed (£4.3m) also scored, beautifully taking the top corner from outside the box.