Hugo Ekitike has responded after he was named in the latest France national team squad despite coming off injured in Liverpool’s Champions League defeat to Galatasaray on Tuesday. Ekitike, 23, has made a blistering start to his Reds career, netting five goals and providing one assist in nine appearances across all competitions.
After missing the 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace through suspension, Ekitike returned to the starting XI for the trip to Istanbul but was withdrawn in the 68th minute after sustaining an injury. “He said he couldn’t continue so we had to take him off. Let’s see how he is for the weekend,” Liverpool head coach Arne Slot said after Ekitike was forced off against Galatasaray.
Although the former Eintracht Frankfurt striker is doubtful for Liverpool’s clash with Chelsea on Saturday, he has still been selected for the France senior squad for the second time. Les Bleus face Azerbaijan on Friday, October 10 and Iceland on Monday, October 13 in a World Cup qualifying double-header.
After France confirmed that Ekitike would feature in the squad for those two fixtures, he took to Instagram to react to the significant news, sharing France’s announcement to his story. Also included in the France squad for the October international break is Liverpool teammate Ibrahima Konate, whilst Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta has been rewarded with his maiden call up.
Ekitike wasn’t the only Liverpool player to suffer an injury during the match against Galatasaray. Goalkeeper Alisson was also forced off the pitch with what seemed to be a hamstring issue, after making a save to deny Victor Osimhen.
Post-match, Slot confirmed that the Brazilian goalkeeper won’t be available for the upcoming match at Stamford Bridge. “If my player is on the floor, nine out of 10 times I fear the worst and with the worst I mean that he cannot continue,” Slot stated. “It’s never positive if you go off like this. You can be sure he is not playing Saturday.”
Following the incident, Alisson shared two photos from the game at RAMS Park on Instagram on Thursday morning. He has been omitted from the Brazil squad for two friendlies during the October international break, with Fenerbahce’s Ederson, Al Nassr’s Bento and Hugo Souza of Corinthians included instead.
