Arne Slot is hopeful he will have striker Hugo Ekitiké available again for the FA Cup tie against Barnsley. The Frenchman had to miss two matches due to an injury, but is now close to making a return.
Arne Slot is hopeful he will have striker Hugo Ekitiké available again for Liverpool's FA Cup tie against Barnsley on Monday, 12 January 2026, with kick-off at 20:45, but admitted there is still some uncertainty over the forward's readiness.
Ekitiké has not featured since New Year's Day, when he played against Leeds. He then missed Liverpool's next 2 matches due to an injury, watching from the sidelines as his teammates drew 2-2 with Fulham and 0-0 with Arsenal. Speaking ahead of the Barnsley game, Slot stressed that the situation is moving in the right direction, but stopped short of guaranteeing Ekitiké's involvement. "We are not 100 percent sure he will be available, but we are doing everything we can to get him ready," Slot said at his press conference.
For Liverpool, the timing of Ekitiké's potential return is important because Slot is dealing with a thinning forward line at a point of the season where rotation often becomes both a necessity and a risk. The FA Cup offers an opportunity to progress in a competition that can define a campaign, but it also arrives alongside the ongoing demands of league fixtures and the physical load that accumulates across winter schedules. In that context, getting even one additional attacking option back into contention can materially change how Slot approaches selection, game management, and the structure of his frontline.
Liverpool's attacking issues do not begin and end with Ekitiké. Slot confirmed that Alexander Isak is out with a serious injury, removing another high-level option from the striking department. Mohamed Salah is also unavailable, as he is away with Egypt at the Africa Cup. With a player of Salah's profile absent, Liverpool lose not only goals and assists but also a reliable outlet in transition, a consistent threat that forces opponents to defend deeper, and a focal point that can shift match dynamics through individual quality. Without him, Liverpool may need to create advantages more collectively, through combinations, positional rotations, and sustained pressure, rather than relying on a single decisive moment from a familiar match-winner.
Those absences leave Slot with a puzzle for the FA Cup meeting with Barnsley, a League One side that is likely to approach the game with clear discipline, strong defensive commitment, and an emphasis on making the match uncomfortable for long stretches. For Premier League teams, games against lower-division opposition frequently present a different set of problems than top-flight fixtures. Space can be more limited, the rhythm more stop-start, and the opponent's priorities can tilt toward compactness, set pieces, and direct phases designed to disrupt momentum. That is where a returning striker like Ekitiké, if fit enough to play, can be particularly valuable, whether as a starter who stretches the back line or as a bench option capable of changing the game if it becomes tense.
Slot's update indicates Ekitiké is close, but not fully cleared. That "not 100 percent" caveat matters because the FA Cup is rarely forgiving of complacency, and a player returning from injury can be vulnerable if rushed. Even if Ekitiké is included in the squad, Liverpool may need to manage his minutes carefully, especially if the medical staff believes he can contribute without exposing him to unnecessary risk. In practical terms, that could mean a substitute appearance if Liverpool are in control, or a controlled start followed by an early change if the plan is to build him back gradually. Slot did not confirm the exact approach, but his comments suggest Liverpool are trying to accelerate Ekitiké's readiness while still respecting the uncertainty around his condition.
Liverpool's squad concerns also extend beyond the forward line. Slot confirmed that Conor Bradley will undergo surgery following the injury he suffered against Arsenal. Losing a player in that position can impact the balance of a team, particularly in how wide areas are defended and how the right side functions in build-up play. It also reduces flexibility when the schedule demands rotation, because full-back roles are among the most physically taxing due to repeated sprints, recovery runs, and constant involvement in both defensive and attacking phases.
There was more positive news regarding Federico Chiesa, with Slot saying the winger is close to returning from injury. A player like Chiesa can offer directness, 1v1 threat, and a willingness to run behind defenses, traits that can be decisive against opponents who sit deep and deny central space. Even if he is not yet ready to start, his availability could help Liverpool vary their attacking profile, offering a different type of wide threat than what remains in the squad while Salah is away.
Slot also noted that he cannot call on Wataru Endo and academy player Jayden Danns, further limiting options in midfield and attack. Endo's absence can reduce the number of natural choices for specific midfield tasks, particularly if Liverpool want to control transitions and protect the back line during moments when the team commits numbers forward. In cup matches, that control can be crucial because underdogs often look to exploit mistakes or loose spacing with fast breaks and set-piece pressure. Without certain profiles available, Slot may need to adjust the midfield structure or be more selective about how aggressively Liverpool push bodies into the final third.
Another name mentioned by Slot was youngster Rio Ngumoha, who remains a doubt. Slot said Liverpool are being careful with him and want him to regain fitness gradually. That kind of caution is typical for young players returning from injury or managing a physical issue, especially when the intensity and expectations of senior football can create pressure to accelerate timelines. In Liverpool's case, it also reflects the reality that youth options become more visible during injury spells, but the club's priority remains long-term development and protecting players from setbacks that can derail momentum at a critical stage of their growth.
All of this sets the context for Monday night's FA Cup tie: Liverpool, with several key absences, still expected to carry the initiative, but needing to be sharp, clinical, and structurally sound against a Barnsley side with every incentive to turn the match into a battle. From Liverpool's perspective, early control and an early goal would likely be ideal, forcing Barnsley to open up and reducing the risk of a late-game scenario where pressure mounts and the margin for error shrinks. From Barnsley's perspective, the longer the game stays level, the more belief they can build, and the more the crowd and occasion can influence momentum.
Slot's comments suggest Liverpool are operating in that familiar January reality: balancing competitiveness with pragmatism, managing injuries while trying to keep the squad fresh, and navigating cup football where the demands are as psychological as they are tactical. If Ekitiké is fit enough to feature, even in a limited capacity, it could give Liverpool a timely boost and allow Slot greater flexibility in how he shapes the frontline in a match that, on paper, Liverpool will be expected to win, but which still requires focus and execution to avoid complications.
