France name Hugo Ekitike in October squad amid Liverpool concern

Hugo Ekitike has been named in Didier Deschamps's France squad for October World Cup qualifiers despite leaving Liverpool's Champions League defeat to Galatasaray on Tuesday with an apparent muscle issue, a selection that leaves his availability for Liverpool's trip to Chelsea on Saturday uncertain. The 23 year old forward was substituted in the 68th minute in Istanbul after telling Liverpool head coach Arne Slot he could not continue, and the club plans to monitor his condition ahead of the Premier League fixture.

Slot said after the game that Ekitike felt something when he reached for the ball and could not continue, and that the staff would assess him ahead of the weekend. Liverpool also lost goalkeeper Alisson to what Slot described as a likely serious problem during the same match, and the coach said of that incident, "If my player is on the floor, nine out of 10 times I fear the worst and with the worst I mean that he cannot continue." Slot confirmed Alisson will not feature at Stamford Bridge.

Ekitike reacted to his France callup by sharing the announcement on his social media story. The forward has scored five goals and provided one assist in nine appearances for...