Relief for Reds: Arne Slot says Hugo Ekitike’s injury is just a dead leg after early Brighton blow | OneFootball

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has given a positive update on Hugo Ekitike after the forward's early substitution at Brighton.

Ekitike was withdrawn only eight minutes into Liverpool's 2-1 defeat to Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Saturday. The Frenchman was visibly upset as he left the pitch, following a forceful collision with former Liverpool midfielder James Milner.

Liverpool struggled in the absence of their leading scorer, as two goals from Danny Welbeck condemned the Reds to defeat on the south coast.

The loss leaves fifth in thePremier League table and extended their winless run in the league to three games.

However, Slot has eased concerns over Ekitike's issue. He expects the forward to link up with France for the upcoming international break but said the 23-year-old was unable to continue at Brighton due to a severe dead leg.

"Hugo, I think he could play tomorrow if he needed to. It was a dead leg, as you call it here I think," Slot said at hispost-match press conference.

"Brighton did what we expected. If you face a team that has only had 62 hours of rest and the first thing you do is make it an intense game, play the first duels, play tough duels – nothing wrong with the duels, by the way – but unfortunately it was a collision and that led to Hugo going out. Yeah, that's not helpful after two minutes.

"You have to continue without one of the best strikers that the league has seen in the last three or four years already not available throughout the whole season, Alexander Isak. One of the best goalscorers the league has seen in the last eight years not being available with Mo Salah. And then missing out on Hugo Ekitike, who has had a lot of impact this season, him being out."