Hugo Ekitike was a surprise omission from Liverpool’s starting line-up against Bournemouth, with the French international striker the only player to make way following the win over Marseille
James Findlater Content Editor
17:25, 24 Jan 2026Updated 18:32, 24 Jan 2026
Hugo Ekitike is a surprise omission for Liverpool against Bournemouth(Image: Getty Images)
Arne Slot has admitted he’s trying to manage Hugo Ekitike’s minutes after the striker was surprisingly left out of Liverpool’s starting line-up against Bournemouth.
The French international impressed again in midweek against Marseille, even though he failed to score, before being replaced by Cody Gakpo with just over 10 minutes remaining at the Stade Velodrome.
Ekitike though is the only player to lose his place in the side following the 3-0 win in France, having been dropped to the bench in favor of Gakpo, who rounded off the scoring in midweek with a late goal after coming off the bench.
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With a final league phase game against Qarabag awaiting in the Champions League in a few days, Slot has elected to rest Ekitike against the Cherries, despite Liverpool being well positioned to qualify for the lat-16 in Europe.
“The thinking is quite simple,” Slot told Sky Sports when asked about the decision to drop Ekitike.
“We have one number nine available for months to go, we’ve played very many games already, a lot of games to play, so we have to manage his minutes to keep him available also for the long term.”
Hugo Ekitike is replaced by Cody Gakpo against Bournemouth(Image: Getty Images)
Ekitike’s absence from the starting XI could result in Mohamed Salah taking up a similar position to the one he was seen in against Marseille as he makes his first Premier League start since November.
The Egyptian played more centrally as he effectively partnered Ekitike up front in France, although it remains to be seen whether he will take up the same position this time, and who he might partner should that be the case.
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“He [Salah] has the freedom to find the position where he thinks he can hurt the opposition the most, and that can sometimes be a bit more on the inside, sometimes a bit more wide,” Slot explained.
“It depends on where the space is for him, and I think it’s all about bringing players like him and some others we have into positions where they can make the difference.
“He’s experienced enough to know in which moments he needs to be central, and which moments he needs to be a bit more inside.”
