Hugo Ekitike is a major doubt for Liverpool’s Premier League clash with West Ham on Sunday.
The French forward was replaced just after the hour mark after feeling discomfort during Wednesday’s 4-1 defeat by PSV Eindhoven.
Ekitike was replaced by Alexander Isak in the Champions League clash, and the news comes as another blow for under-pressure manager Arne Slot.
Hugo Ekitike Injury Doubt for West Ham Clash
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has suggested Hugo Ekitike is a doubt for Sunday’s meeting with West Ham United at London Stadium.
In his post-match press conference, the Dutchman revealed that Ekitike was managing a back issue throughout the game. It became even more apparent after half-time, as Ekitike’s intensity dropped.
🎙️𝗤𝗨𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗦 – Arne Slot on Hugo Ekitike: “It felt like he couldn’t move like he did in the first half. That’s why our press was a bit off.”
“He just told me in the first 5-10 mins of the first half he felt his back too much and that’s why he had to go out.” pic.twitter.com/Vlh6UaKJDo
— LFC Transfer Room (@LFCTransferRoom) November 26, 2025
Slot told TNT Sports:
“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.”
Further tests will be carried out on Thursday.
Many believe Slot is on the brink of the sack at Anfield, and the next three matches against West Ham, Sunderland and Leeds are huge.
Ekitike was one of Liverpool’s better players in the defeat against PSV. He had two efforts on target, created one chance, made two recoveries, and won three of four ground duels.
Potential Replacements for Ekitike Against West Ham
With the defeat to PSV, Liverpool have now lost nine of their last 12 matches in all competitions. They are going through their worst run in 71 years, and fans are calling for Arne Slot’s sacking.
Liverpool, who are on a three-game losing run, travel to London Stadium for their must-win Premier League clash against West Ham.
Ekitike has started eight games for the Reds in the Premier League, suggesting Slot sees him as his first-choice centre-forward.
Chiesa on the pitch for approx. 5 minutes and already doing infinitely more than virtually anyone else in red
— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) November 26, 2025
If he misses out on Sunday due to injury, Alexander Isak is his like-for-like replacement. However, the Swede has yet to impress, having failed to score in his first five Premier League games for Slot’s side.
Liverpool have another centre-forward option in Federico Chiesa.
The Italian has played just 139 minutes of football across nine games in the Premier League this season. But he has already scored two goals and provided an assist.
With pressure mounting on Slot, Chiesa could offer him something different in the crucial game against West Ham.
Hugo Ekitike’s Stats for Liverpool
Summer signing Hugo Ekitike has been in decent form for Liverpool.
In the Premier League, he has scored three goals in 11 appearances, with only Mohamed Salah outscoring him (4 goals). He has also scored one goal each in the EFL Cup and the UEFA Champions League.
Ekitike is Liverpool’s joint-leading scorer (alongside Salah) this season with five goals.
In the Premier League, he has provided one assist, created seven chances, completed 12 dribbles, and won 32 duels. He has also shown excellent discipline, not picking up any bookings.
