Liverpool handed injury boost as striker joins international camp

Liverpool have received a timely lift ahead of a pivotal stretch of fixtures after footage confirmed that Hugo Ekitike has reported for international duty, easing fears over the severity of the injury that forced him off early in Saturday’s defeat at Brighton.

The 23-year-old French forward left the Amex pitch in tears following a first-half collision with James Milner, an incident that visibly rattled both the player and the travelling support. With the Reds already navigating a bruising run of form, the sight of Ekitike’s emotional exit raised immediate concerns of a prolonged lay-off.

Those anxieties appear to have been misplaced. A video published by L’Equipe on Monday showed Ekitike arriving at France’s Clairefontaine training base without any protective strapping or discernible discomfort, a development that dovetails with manager Arne Slot’s post-match assessment.

“Hugo could play tomorrow if he had to,” Slot told reporters after the 2-1 loss. “It was a dead leg. It was a collision that led to him going off. It was not helpful.”

While the injury ultimately proved minor, its timing was anything but. Ekitike’s 18th-minute withdrawal forced a tactical reshuffle that left Liverpool short of attacking thrust and structural balance for the remainder of the contest, undermining the momentum generated by the midweek victory over Galatasaray.

Brighton supporters jeered as the striker hobbled towards the touchline, a reaction that underscored the afternoon’s sour turn for the visitors. Yet the swift confirmation that Ekitike remains available for national-team duty offers Liverpool a welcome reprieve as they prepare for a congested calendar.

The forward’s presence in Didier Deschamps’ squad suggests he will be ready for club selection once the international break concludes, sparing Slot the prospect of entering a defining series of matches without one of his key attacking options.

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