Ekitike Knock as Liverpool Slips Before Chelsea

Hugo Ekitike — a £69m summer signing — has scored five goals in his first 10 appearances and said he is proud to play for Liverpool in a BBC interview. He suffered a muscular knock and was substituted early in Liverpool's Champions League loss to Galatasaray, but manager Arne Slot said Ekitike would train to be assessed and a French call-up suggests the injury is unlikely to be serious. Liverpool have slipped in the Premier League after successive defeats to Crystal Palace and Chelsea, leaving the side under pressure to arrest a wobble. Pundit Steve Nicol said Mohamed Salah is struggling this season because Liverpool's teammates and buildup under Slot have not provided consistent service, limiting the forward's touches and chances. A wider injury crisis — including goalkeeper Alisson's absence until after the international break — and the need for recent signings such as Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak to bed in complicate Slot's task as Liverpool head to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea.