Hugo Ekitike was ruled out for Liverpool before the Fulham match.(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Ekitike, Isak, Leoni - Liverpool injury news and predicted return dates after Fulham draw

by · Liverpool Echo

Liverpool injury news and return dates after Arne Slot's side were held to draw by Fulham, with Hugo Ekitike the notable absentee from their matchday squad.

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Liverpool's winless start to 2026 continued in the most dramatic of circumstances. Cody Gakpo thought he had completed the Reds' turnaround against Fulham with an injury time strike, however Harrison Reed produced an unstoppable long-range effort that equalised at 2-2 with no time for reply.

After a forgettable first period in which Harry Wilson put the hosts ahead, Florian Wirtz drew Liverpool level following the restart - both strikes required VAR interventions. The match was cruising to a finish at that scoreline until Gakpo turned in from a Jeremie Frimpong cross deep into stoppage time.

However, there was nothing Arne Slot's side could do as they watched Reed find the top right-hand corner from range with 97 minutes played.

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The Reds remain fourth despite conceding late at Craven Cottage, but will hope to get back to winning ways knowing Manchester United, Chelsea and Sunderland make up the chasing pack behind them.

Players returning from injury and international duty will only help this effort, therefore the ECHO looks at Liverpool's absent stars and the dates they could possibly return to action.

  1. Hugo Ekitike

    Forward Hugo Ekitike was a notable absentee from the Reds' squad at Fulham, with it put down to a 'minor' hamstring injury.
    With 11 goals already this season, Slot will hope to have his summer recruit back in action at the next available opportunity but, before the kick-off at Craven Cottage, outlined he is unsure if this will be the case.
    "Alexander Isak has been out for a weeks now, and that has meant that Hugo had to play more minutes than he did the whole season, and that has led to the fact that he picked up a slight hamstring injury, because we had to play him more and more and more minutes," the head coach told Sky Sports.
    "For a player that's his age that isn't used to the Premier League already, that has been a bit too much, so that's why he will be out for today and hopefully be back for the Arsenal game, but that's definitely not sure yet."
    Possible return date: January 8 vs Arsenal (A)
    1 of 6(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

  2. Wataru Endo

    Wataru Endo has missed six games since he picked up an ankle injury in the away match against Leeds United at the start of December. Prior to Fulham, Slot said the midfielder was not yet ready to return to team training.
    Possible return date: January
    2 of 6(Image: (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images))

  3. Alexander Isak

    Alexander Isak required surgery on his fractured fibula after he was challenged by Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven in the action of opening the scoring in last month's win over the north London club.
    The Sweden striker was immediately ruled out for at least two months, though a cautious approach to his return may lead to a longer absence.
    Possible return date: March
    3 of 6(Image: (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images))

  1. Stefan Bajcetic

    Spanish midfielder Stefan Bajcetic has been dealt repeated injury blows in the years since his breakout 2022/23 campaign. Now, the 20-year-old is alongside the first-team, continuing his recovery from surgery on his latest hamstring problem at the end of last season.
    Possible return date: TBC
    4 of 6(Image: Getty Images)

  2. Giovanni Leoni

    Giovanni Leoni was dealt a devastating ACL injury on his Liverpool debut in the Carabao Cup in September, ruling him out for the term. He is currently recovering and despite the setback, showed a strong mentality in a recent interview.
    Possible return date: July
    5 of 6(Image: (Photo by Steven Halliwell/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images))

  3. Mohamed Salah

    Mohamed Salah left Liverpool for international duty in mid-December as he captains Egypt at this year's Africa Cup of Nations. With two group stage goals, he has helped his country into the knockout rounds.
    Next up, Egypt's last-16 match is against Benin and is scheduled for Monday, January 5.
    The tournament's final is on Sunday, January 18.
    Latest return date: January 21 vs Marseille (A)
    6 of 6(Image: FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images)