Liverpool fear lengthy lay-off for Ekitike

Hugo Ekitike’s potential exclusion from the World Cup has raised concerns for Liverpool after he suffered a suspected Achilles injury during their Champions League clash with Paris St-Germain on Tuesday. The France striker exited the match at Anfield on a stretcher, leaving the team to assess the severity of his condition. Further scans are scheduled for Wednesday to determine the full impact of the injury, which could sideline him for an extended period and delay his return to action.

Coach reflects on Ekitike’s setback

“We all noticed he wasn’t in good shape during the first half,” said Arne Slot after the game. “He went home early, and I haven’t seen him yet. Losing a player in this stage of the season is tough, especially when we’ve had multiple absences already this term. It’s heartbreaking for him because you don’t want to be sidelined, particularly when the team is pushing for key competitions.”

Ekitike, who joined Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt in July, has been a standout performer this season, contributing 17 goals and six assists across all competitions. His inclusion in Didier Deschamps’ World Cup squad was anticipated, as he made his international debut in September. However, the injury threatens to disrupt his participation in the tournament.

Liverpool’s injury woes have continued this campaign, with several key players missing significant time. Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley are out for the rest of the season, while Alisson Becker and Wataru Endo remain on the sidelines. Earlier this month, Alexander Isak returned from a December ankle injury, adding to the challenges of maintaining squad depth.