Arne Slot has sent a clear message to Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike ahead of their meeting with Manchester City.

The Dutchman has confirmed that Alexander Isak returned to training on Friday after being sidelined for three weeks.

While not confirmed, it is likely that he will not be ready to feature, or at the very least, start, the Man City fixture.

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Therefore, it seems obvious that Hugo Ekitke will be the starting number nine, and Slot has told him where he must improve.

Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images

Speaking to the media on Friday, Slot stated that the Frenchman must be stronger in aerial duels.

He said: “That is what makes him [Ekitike] special, if you’re that tall and your footwork is as good as his.

“That’s what makes him special, if you’re so tall, he needs to be stronger in duels.”

Ekitike stands at 6ft 3in tall, but despite his height, he hasn’t been great in the air since arriving at Anfield.

According to FotMob, he has challenged for 11 aerial duels during the 2025/26 Premier League season so far but won just 37.9% of them.

But while the 23-year-old has one clear area in which to improve, he...