Liverpool manager Arne Slot has expressed grave concern over striker Hugo Ekitike's injury, describing it as "really bad" after the French forward was stretchered off during Tuesday's Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Ekitike went down off the ball just 30 minutes into the quarter-final second leg at Parc des Princes, clutching his ankle in visible distress. The Reds ultimately fell 2-0 on the night and 4-0 on aggregate, but the injury overshadowed the result.
"Hugo looks really bad but it is difficult to say how bad," Slot admitted post-match. "Let's see. It doesn't look good, that is clear. I didn't see him at half-time and after the game he was already home. I have not spoken to him yet."
The timing couldn't be worse for the 22-year-old, who is in his debut season at Anfield after joining from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer. With 17 goals in 45 appearances across all competitions, Ekitike had been establishing himself as a key figure in Slot's attack.
Perhaps more devastating is the potential impact on his international aspirations. A prolonged absence could dash his hopes of representing France at this summer's World Cup in North America.
Teammate Ibrahima Konate, who also plays alongside Ekitike for Les Bleus, offered emotional support. "I think it is bad," Konate told Amazon Prime. "I don't know, I have heard many things. I have no words to talk about that because with the World Cup coming it is very, very hard for him and I send him my prayers."
The injury compounds Liverpool's attacking woes. Ekitike had started alongside Alexander Isak, who was making his first start since early December after recovering from a broken leg. Florian Wirtz completed the front three—a combination that has rarely been available to Slot this season.
"For 88 minutes until tonight we have played with Florian, Alex and Hugo," Slot lamented. "We added about 27 to that, and I would be surprised if we add more minutes to that this season. The good thing is Alex is back."
Medical assessments in the coming days will determine the severity of Ekitike's injury, but initial signs suggest Liverpool may have to finish their campaign without one of their most promising summer signings.