‘Can only assume…’ – Journalist reacts to ‘surprise’ exclusion from Liverpool XI v Bournemouth

Arne Slot has sprung something of a surprise with his Liverpool starting XI to face Bournemouth this evening by dropping Hugo Ekitike to the bench.

In the only change to the team which began the 3-0 win over Marseille in midweek, Cody Gakpo has come in for the Frenchman in attack, with the Reds’ top scorer for the season so far omitted from the starting line-up by choice for the first time in the Premier League since early December.

There’s been an increased reliance on the 23-year-old since Alexander Isak suffered a serious injury just before Christmas, and the ex-Eintracht Frankfurt marksman isn’t long back from a brief layoff with a thigh problem earlier this month.

Ian Doyle surprised as Ekitike drops out of Liverpool starting XI

When the team news was confirmed 75 minutes before kick-off at the Vitality Stadium, Ekitike’s omission may well have raised a few eyebrows.

It did for the Liverpool Echo‘s Ian Doyle, who wrote: ‘A slight surprise Gakpo is in ahead of Ekitike. Can only assume it’s due to workload. Mind you, there’ll be a fume from fans who for some reason dislike Gakpo. He’s the second-top scorer this season for Liverpool, don’t forget.’