It's no pain, no gain for Hugo

ARNE SLOT has backed an inform Hugo Ekitike to stay fit and firing during Alexander Isak’s recovery from a broken leg as the Liverpool striker gets set to lead the line against Wolves today.

- By PAUL GORST

Ekitike, who has scored five goals in his last three Premier League appearances, is now Slot's only available senior centre-forward after Isak underwent surgery on a broken leg at a time when Cody Gakpo is sidelined and Mohamed Salah is with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Slot also pointed to Federico Chiesa’s availability but the versatile Italian has made just one Premier League start for the Reds since his move in August 2024.

A specific timescale is not being placed on Isak’s rehabilitation process but the £125million forward will be out for a number of months after undergoing surgery last week following the injury he picked up in the 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur.