“Liverpool Star Likely Out as Conor Bradley Drops Major Team Hint Ahead of Arsenal Clash”

 

 

The standout Premier League clash this week, at least on paper, is Arsenal vs. Liverpool. The Gunners, sitting top of the table, will host last season’s champions in what could prove pivotal for Mikel Arteta’s title ambitions.

With a six-point cushion over Manchester City, Arsenal will be eager to make a statement with a commanding home win. Liverpool, who lifted the trophy last season, have struggled in 2025/26 but still retain the quality to trouble the north London side. That said, the Reds will be without key summer signing Alexander Isak, sidelined with a broken leg suffered against Tottenham in December, and Mohamed Salah, away at AFCON with Egypt. Now, it seems another crucial forward could miss out.

Sharp-eyed fans noticed that Liverpool fullback Conor Bradley and Head of Physiotherapy Lee Nobes recently removed Hugo Ekitike from their Fantasy Premier League teams ahead of the Emirates trip, hinting the French striker may not be fit for Thursday’s clash.

Ekitike has been one of Liverpool’s standout performers this season with 11 goals in all competitions but missed the 2-2 draw at Fulham due to a thigh injury. He traveled with the squad but was ruled out after late MRI results. Slot initially described it as a hamstring issue but remained hopeful the striker could return for the Arsenal game.

Commenting after the Fulham match, Slot explained:

“Yes, he traveled because he felt something during training. The MRI results came while we were flying. We hoped it was just DOMS—delayed onset muscle soreness—but it turned out to be more. With Alex Isak out, Ekitike has been playing full matches week after week, at Champions League level, without a winter break. A bit of soreness was expected. We had hoped to use him as a sub, but it was too risky.”

Although there was optimism about Ekitike featuring against Arsenal on Thursday, the fact that Bradley and Nobes removed him from their FPL squads may have inadvertently revealed a crucial injury update for Liverpool fans.