Liverpool dealt new injury concern as Arne Slot explains Hugo Ekitike substitution | OneFootball

Reds left sweating on the fitness of summer signing ahead of West Ham clash

Arne Slot has confirmed Hugo Ekitike suffered a back injury against PSV Eindhoven.

Ekitike was restored to the Liverpool starting XI for Wednesday night’s Champions League clash, but was replaced by Alexander Isak just after the hour mark.

Explaining the change, Slot revealed that Ekitike “felt his back too much” early in the first half which limited his movement throughout.

Speaking after the game, Slot said: "Especially at the start of the second half, I constantly felt, 'What's wrong with Hugo?' It felt as if he couldn't move as he did [in] the first half.

“So, that's why our press was, I think, also a little bit off.

"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."

Liverpool face West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon and it remains to be seen if Ekitike will be available for selection as Reds aim to avoid a fourth straight defeat across all competitions.

Hugo Ekitike did not complete 90 minutes for Liverpool on Wednesday night

Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Ibrahima Konate was the other Liverpool player substituted against PSV, though Slot has confirmed the decision to send Federico Chiesa on in the Frenchman’s place was tactical.

The Dutchman added: “Yes, I found that one difficult because up until the moment you were just describing I think he [Konate] played a good game.

“But, if you go 3-1 down, I think the thing that I have always done – and what I will keep doing – is then bringing an extra attacker in.

“I found that hard because I knew the outside world would probably then focus even more on the error he made, but I think it was the decision I had to make. Unfortunately it didn’t lead to anything except they scored the 4-1.”