Liverpool’s manager says Isak and Ekitike will keep playing together up front
Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo is out for “weeks”, according to manager Arne Slot, leaving Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Federico Chiesa as Liverpool’s main attacking options.
Mohamed Salah is still out of the squad after his media outburst blew up relationships between him, the manager, and the club. In both Salah and Gakpo’s absences against Inter Milan, Slot was forced to play Isak and Ekitike up front, with a diamond midfield behind them.
Slot said Gakpo had a muscle injury. Midfielder Wataru Endo is also out for weeks with an ankle problem. Seventeen-year-old Rio Ngumoha is available for selection, but has only played 42 minutes in the Premier League so far and 16 minutes in the Champions League.
Liverpool’s manager hinted Isak and Ekitike were going to keep playing together.
“What we all saw [against Inter], which is normal, the more they play, the more they will adapt and the better they will cooperate,” said Slot.
“The other two No 9s on the pitch for Inter were more used to playing with each. It’s the second time they have played together and I think we will see more of this in the future. Alex got a knock in the first half, so let’s see if he is able to start tomorrow.
Salah will travel to join the Egypt team for the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, but it is not clear if he will return to the squad for Saturday’s game against Brighton. That will depend on the outcome of his conversation with Slot on Friday.
“I will have a conversation with Mo this morning and the outcome determines how,” Slot said. “What I need is a conversation with him and the next time I speak about Mo should be with him and not in here.
“There’s not much more I can say. I speak to him today and the outcome determines how things will look tomorrow.”
