France have selected Hugo Ekitike in their squad for Les Bleus’ World Cup qualifiers with Azerbaijan and Iceland, despite the Liverpool forward suffering an injury on Tuesday.

Ekitike was forced off as Liverpool suffered a second successive defeat, following up their loss to Crystal Palace in the Premier League with a 1-0 reverse to Galatasaray in the Champions League.

Speaking after the defeat in Istanbul, Liverpool boss Slot said of Ekitike: “”He felt something when he had to reach for the ball,” added Slot. “I think we all know which one it was when we were trying to force something.

“I think at that moment in time, on the other side there was someone on the floor as well, so the referee blew his whistle and I wasn’t even thinking we had an injury, but Hugo felt something.

“After the game, that’s always the difficult thing with these moments when players feel like it is not too bad, but when you just walk around it is something different than when you make a sprint or have to shoot on target. 

“He said he couldn’t continue so we had to take him off. Let’s see how he is for the weekend [against Chelsea].”

Ektike call-up could concern Liverpool

Ekitike received his first France call-up in the previous round of international fixtures after Rayan Cherki pulled out through injury.

He has been in fine form since joining Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt, scoring five goals and registering an assist.

But his call-up may be a concern to Liverpool, with France having come in for criticism by Paris Saint-Germain for allegedly failing to heed advice regarding the workloads of Ballon d’Or Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue, both of whom sustained injuries during the September international break.

Neither of that pair have played for PSG since.

France hand Mateta call-up

If France deem Ekitike not fit then Jean-Philippe Mateta could have a roll to play, Les Bleus’ having added the Palace forward to their deep ranks of attacking talent.

Mateta has played for France at Under-19 and Under-21 level and won a silver medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, yet before now a senior call-up had eluded him.

Didier Deschamps, however, has clearly been impressed by Mateta’s strong start to the season for the Eagles, who are unbeaten in the Premier League.

Mateta already has two league goals to his name and was unfortunate not to add to that tally as Palace claimed a late win over Liverpool last weekend.

France squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier, Mike Maignan, Brice Samba

Defenders: Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto , Ibrahima Konaté, Jules Koundé, Lucas Hernández, Theo Hernández, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano

Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga, Manu Koné, Michael Olise, Adrien Rabiot, Khephren Thuram

Attackers: Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola, Kingsley Coman, Hugo Ekitike, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Kylian Mbappé, Christopher Nkunku.