Slot fears seriousness of Ekitike’s injury

Liverpool are fearing a lengthy absence for Hugo Ekitike after the striker suffered a suspected Achilles injury during their Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night. 

The 23-year-old was stretchered off in the first half at Anfield, with early indications suggesting the injury could be serious.

Initial assessments from the club suggest Ekitike could miss the upcoming FIFA World Cup, dealing a major blow to both Liverpool and the France national team. 

The forward underwent scans on Wednesday, with medical staff awaiting confirmation on the full extent of the damage.

Ekitike, who joined Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt last July, has been one of the club’s standout performers this season. 

He has registered 17 goals and six assists across all competitions, quickly becoming a key figure in Liverpool’s attack.

Speaking after the match, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot admitted the injury looked serious. 

He noted that while the team must wait for medical confirmation, the immediate signs were not encouraging, adding that losing a player in such circumstances compounds the disappointment of defeat.

“I think we could all see that it didn’t look well and didn’t look good. Let’s wait and see what it will be. But we could all see it didn’t look good. It’s especially very hard for him because you never want to be injured, especially not at this moment of time in the season.” Slot said.

The Dutch manager also highlighted the emotional toll on the player, particularly given the timing late in the season. 

He emphasized that injuries have been a recurring issue for Liverpool this campaign, making the situation even more frustrating for the squad.

Liverpool’s injury problems extend beyond Ekitike, with several players currently sidelined. 

Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley are ruled out for the remainder of the season, while Alisson Becker and Wataru Endo are also unavailable. 

Meanwhile, Alexander Isak only recently returned from injury, underlining the club’s ongoing struggles with squad fitness.

Liverpool play Everton at the Hill Dickinson stadium on Sunday at the Merseyside derby as they hope to seal UEFA Champions League qualification for next season.