{"id":678761,"date":"2026-01-07T00:13:21","date_gmt":"2026-01-07T00:13:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/678761\/"},"modified":"2026-01-07T00:13:21","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T00:13:21","slug":"liverpools-head-of-injury-recovery-appears-to-drop-major-hugo-ekitike-fitness-hint-in-his-fpl-team-ahead-of-crunch-clash-with-arsenal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/678761\/","title":{"rendered":"Liverpool’s head of injury recovery appears to drop major Hugo Ekitike fitness hint in his FPL team ahead of crunch clash with Arsenal"},"content":{"rendered":"

By WILL GRIFFEE<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 16:29 EST, 6 January 2026 | Updated: 16:33 EST, 6 January 2026 <\/p>\n

Liverpool<\/a>‘s head of physiotherapy has appeared to drop a major hint over Hugo Ekitike’s availability… by dropping him from his Fantasy Premier League<\/a> team.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lee Nobes, who has been at the club since 2018, replaced the Frenchman in his line-up, sparking speculation that the striker will miss his side’s game against Arsenal<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Nobes’ team is called DJs20 and many fans spotted his decision to transfer Ekitike out for Igor Thiago, who he made captain.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The fantasy line-up is listed among other players and staff in the Premier League<\/a> on a website called Real Players League.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ekitike missed Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Fulham<\/a> at Craven Cottage but the specific nature of his issue has not been disclosed.\u00a0<\/p>\n

When asked about it, Slot said: ‘He travelled because he felt something during the training session.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Lee <\/p>\n

Lee Nobes (left), pictured celebrating the title win last season, dropped Hugo Ekitike from his Fantasy Premier League line-up<\/p>\n

‘He went for an MRI scan and we got the results when we were flying. We were hoping it was a bit of DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness), which he also had.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘He has to play 80 or 90 minutes every single game for the first time in his life without a winter break and for the first time, at Champions League level. It’s not a big surprise he gets a bit of DOMS.<\/p>\n

‘We were hoping it would be DOMS and we could have used him as a sub. But, unfortunately, we saw a bit more and couldn’t take a risk.’<\/p>\n

It therefore seems unlikely that Ekitike will play a part against the Gunners and Nobes’ fantasy decision strengthens that suggestion.\u00a0<\/p>\n

According to Liverpool’s official club website, Nobes, ‘moved to the Reds from Manchester City, where he’d spent the previous 11 years having joined the club from Oldham Athletic and having previously worked at Bury FC in similar roles’.\u00a0<\/p>\n

No doubt the club would prefer the medical status of their players to remain information they can guard, though there is of course a chance that Nobes dropped Ekitike from his fantasy line-up as a tactical decision.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ekitike has been one of Liverpool’s shining lights in an otherwise disappointing season so far.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He has fourteen goal contributions across all competitions and would be sorely missed in the game on Thursday against the Premier League leaders.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Nobes' <\/p>\n

Nobes’ team shows he took Ekitike out for Igor Thiago of Brentford, who he made captain\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Ekitike <\/p>\n

Ekitike could miss Liverpool’s game against Arsenal and the club’s head physio appeared to drop a hint over the striker’s availability<\/p>\n

With Alexander Isak out injured for months with a broken leg, the Reds are having to rely on squad depth.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Cody Gakpo or Federico Chiesa could start in Ekitike’s place if he does indeed miss the trip to the Emirates.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Liverpool are fourth and a massive 14 points behind Arsenal – entering the game as significant underdogs.\u00a0<\/p>\n


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\n<\/a><\/p>\n

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