Arne Slot keeps Mikel Arteta in the dark with Liverpool TEASE

Arne Slot has dropped a tease about his Liverpool team but he's cleverly left Mikel Arteta in the dark. The Reds will face Arsenal on Thursday.

Liverpool travel to face Arsenal this week in what should have been a match with title implications. It still could be - but not for the Reds.

Their drop-off this season has left them a long way from challenging. In fact, it feels just about impossible that Liverpool could get back in that race and competing for a top-four spot seems to be the best they can do this season.

But that doesn't stop this Arsenal game from being a big one. Arne Slot's team can make a bit of a statement with a win, showing that the potential is still there for Liverpool to be a force over the second half of the season.

Slot is certainly playing his cards close to his chest in preparation. He's offered a little tease of what's to come - while keeping Mikel Arteta in the dark over his team selection.

Hugo Ekitike vs Arsenal

The biggest question about Liverpool's team is whether Hugo Ekitike plays. The Frenchman missed Liverpool's draw with Fulham at the weekend and Slot wasn't clear about his prospects of facing Arsenal.

It now seems that he's still not particularly clear. The Dutchman gave absolutely nothing away about Ekitike, merely confirming that he might train on Wednesday.

"He’s not trained with us until now," Slot told a press conference. "Let’s see if he can today.

"I’ve said three days ago he won’t be out for long but because things come fast.”

It's anyone's guess, then. Liverpool could really use Ekitike available for this one as their lack of a proper centre-forward was clear against Fulham.

But keeping Arteta in the dark is smart. No one can be sure what Liverpool's team will look like or how their attack will function on Thursday.

That's some sort of advantage, at least.

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