Slot Fears Ekitike Injury Is ‘Really Bad’

Liverpool’s manager, Arne Slot, expressed concern over the severity of Hugo Ekitike’s injury following the French forward’s dramatic exit during Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Paris St-Germain. The match, a quarter-final second leg, ended in a 2-0 defeat for the Reds, with the aggregate score standing at 4-0 in favor of the French giants.

Ekitike, who suffered the injury 30 minutes into the game, was carried off on a stretcher after clutching his ankle in apparent pain. His departure left the team visibly shaken, as the striker had been in the starting lineup for the first time this season alongside Alexander Isak, marking Isak’s return to the first XI since his December recovery from a leg fracture.

“Hugo looks really bad, but it’s difficult to say how bad,” Slot stated post-match. “Let’s see. It doesn’t look good, that’s clear. I didn’t see him at half-time, and after the game, he was already home. I have not spoken to him yet.”

This season, Ekitike has contributed 11 Premier League goals for Liverpool, making him a key asset in attack. However, a prolonged absence could threaten his chances of securing a spot in the France squad for the upcoming World Cup in North America. His clubmate and international teammate, Ibrahima Konate, shared his dismay, calling the moment “very hard” for Ekitike.

“I think it is bad,” Konate said on Amazon Prime. “I don’t know, I’ve heard many things. I have no word to talk about that because with the World Cup coming, it is very, very hard for him. I send him my prayers.”

Slot also reflected on the limited opportunities for his three major summer signings to play together. “For 88 minutes until tonight, we have played with Florian, Alex, and Hugo. We added about 27 to that, and I would be surprised if we add more minutes to that this season,” he remarked. While acknowledging Alex Isak’s return as a positive, Slot highlighted the challenges of integrating the trio into consistent team action.

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