Liverpool manager Arne Slot has delivered a grim update on the fitness of striker Hugo Ekitike following the club’s exit from the Champions League on Tuesday night.
The Frenchman was stretchered off during the first half of the match against Paris Saint Germain at Anfield, and early assessments suggest a significant injury that could end his season prematurely.
Slot admitted he would be surprised if the forward features again this term, adding a layer of misery to a night where the English side were eliminated by the French giants after a 2 to 0 defeat.
Ekitike appeared to crumple in a non contact incident, which often signals a serious ligament issue that requires extensive rehabilitation.
The loss of Ekitike comes at a difficult time for the Reds as they prepare for a crucial Merseyside derby against Everton on April 19.
With domestic ambitions still on the line, the absence of a key attacking outlet will force Slot to rely on his remaining forwards during the final weeks of the campaign.
The player’s family has expressed their disappointment over the situation, and the club is expected to provide a more detailed medical report once the initial swelling has subsided.
Liverpool will need to find a way to maintain their scoring threat without the influential Frenchman as they look to finish the season strongly and secure their position in the upper reaches of the Premier League table.