Several of Arne Slot's Liverpool squad remain away on international duty as the October window winds down.
The Dutch coach has received mostly positive news as his key names head back to Merseyside with Ibrahima Konate's injury the only real setback.
Konate joined up with the France squad carrying a slight injury and Didier Deschamps opted against using him off the bench in Les Bleus' 3-1 home win over Azerbaijan.
Victory in Paris moves France closer to their goal of qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup next summer but it came at a cost.
Captain Kylian Mbappe has returned early to Real Madrid after aggravating an ankle injury at the Parc des Princes and Konate suffered a flare up in training.
The centre-back will be assessed by the Liverpool medical staff in the coming days, after being released by Deschamps, but Mbappe's absence opens the door for Hugo Ekitike.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
Ekitike offer France chance after Mbappe's withdrawal
The 23-year-old has impressed following his summer move to Anfeld, with five goals scored, but he's been on the end of criticism back in France.
Deschamps handed him a first senior start, as part of an attacking pair with Mbappe against Azerbaijan, after making his France debut in September.
French outlet L’Equipe - who are infamous for their player ratings - gave Ekitike a 4/10 for his showing and labelled his performance as 'showed plenty of effort and energy, but little end product'.
Those cutting remarks are unlikely to impact Deschamps' faith, and with Mbappe out, Liverpool's No.22 will lead the France forward line in Reykjavík.
Liverpool news and related links
- Alexander Isak ready to move past drama over summer move to Liverpool
- England international shares primary reason to leave Liverpool
- What Danny Murphy said about Alexander Isak will sting Liverpool fans