Hugo Ekitike was expected to start his seventh successive game for Liverpool at Fulham but was left out of the squad entirely, and is now in doubt for the trip to Arsenal.With Alexander Isak sidelined for the foreseeable after sustaining a broken leg, the onus to lead Liverpool’s attack fell on Ekitike, who has played 517 of Liverpool’s last 540 minutes of action.The Frenchman was anticipated to be in the starting lineup at Craven Cottage and at worst on the bench, but he was instead left out entirely.Hugo Ekitike’s injury: Why he was left out vs. Fulham• Hamstring blow: The Frenchman is out of the Fulham clash with a minor hamstring issue caused by a recent heavy workload.• Striker crisis: With Alexander Isak also sidelined, Arne Slot has named a makeshift front three of Szoboszlai, Wirtz, and Gakpo.• Arsenal doubt: Ekitike has contributed to six goals in the last six games, but remains a major doubt for Thursday’s trip to the Emirates.The club declared that his absence was due to “a minor fitness issue,” with Slot later telling Sky Sports that it is a hamstring injury relating to his recent workload.“Alexander Isak has been out for a few weeks now,” Slot started. “That has meant that Hugo had to play more minutes that he did throughout the whole season.“That has led to the fact that he he picked up a slight hamstring injury because he had to play more and more minutes.“For a player that’s his age and is not used to the Premier League completely, that has been a bit too much.“That’s why he will be out for today and hopefully be back for the Arsenal game. But that’s definitely not sure yet.”Ekitike’s absence leaves Slot without a recognised No. 9 for the Premier League fixture at Fulham, with Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo forming the Reds’ attack.And Slot did not sound overly optimistic he would be available against Arsenal on Thursday evening, which would require another makeshift forward line.It is an untimely blow for Liverpool as Ekitike has had a hand in six of the last 10 goals for Liverpool, with five goals and one assist.There were concerns a fitness issue would be the outcome for the 23-year-old at some stage, having had to shoulder the responsibility of the attack due to injuries elsewhere.Of Liverpool’s previous 13 games in all competitions, Ekitike started 10 and played more than 80 minutes in five of the last six.