Liverpool preparations for a pivotal journey to Arsenal have taken an surprising flip after an off-the-cuff public sighting prompted renewed deal with one unresolved choice subject.
David Tierney shared photographs on X of his son posing with a number of members of our squad at Runcorn prepare station, with Joe Gomez, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Ryan Gravenberch, Florian Wirtz, Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister and Alisson Becker all pictured.
The publish shortly drew consideration from supporters who flooded the replies with questions, not least about one identify conspicuously absent.
Ekitike absence noticed as Liverpool squad journey
My lads comfortable right this moment 🤣 pic.twitter.com/qeIuWpwLKr
— David Tierney (@tierney1811) January 7, 2026
Among the many replies, a number of followers requested whether or not Hugo Ekitike was current, with Tierney confirming: “Nope,” adopted by additional exchanges acknowledging the ahead was not among the many group.
One other supporter requested whether or not he had seen Hugo, with the response once more confirming the Frenchman was not there, resulting in light-hearted frustration from followers already anxious about his availability.
Tierney additionally revealed the squad arrived round 4.10pm for the 4.27 prepare, confirming the situation as Runcorn prepare station, whereas understandably declining to clarify how he knew they might be there.
The timing of the sighting has inevitably fuelled hypothesis, with Liverpool set to face Arsenal amid an already sophisticated attacking image.
Slot replace leaves Ekitike query open
Earlier this week, Arne Slot addressed Ekitike’s health, explaining in his pre-match press convention that the 23-year-old had not educated absolutely and was “in between” returning, with the Dutchman suggesting he might have “one or two days additional”.
That uncertainty has lingered, notably given how essential the previous Eintracht Frankfurt ahead has been to our current momentum, a spell formed as a lot by mentality as outcomes.
After being named Liverpool’s Participant of the Month for December, the No.22 spoke overtly in regards to the significance of staying unbeaten throughout a troublesome interval, whereas stressing that collective wins matter greater than particular person accolades.
With Mo Salah on the Africa Cup of Nations and Alexander Isak sidelined long-term, any absence is magnified, and Slot’s choices towards Arsenal already look stretched.
Whether or not the prepare station second proves significant or merely coincidental, it has as soon as once more ensured that Ekitike’s standing stays one of many key speaking factors.
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