Overview
- Arne Slot confirms Hugo Ekitike is the only available senior centre forward and notes five goals in his last three Premier League appearances.
- Alexander Isak had surgery on a broken leg last week and will be out for months with no set timetable for rehabilitation.
- Slot identifies Federico Chiesa as a central option to ease the strain on Ekitike, despite the Italian’s very limited league minutes this season.
- The head coach credits extra fitness work — “not always with a smile” — for Ekitike’s improved physical levels and readiness.
- Slot says a recent unbeaten run owes to conceding fewer chances and a bit of fortune as Liverpool face a schedule that includes nine fixtures in January.