Ekitike suffers potential season-ending injury in Liverpool loss to PSG

Ekitike suffers potential season-ending injury in Liverpool loss to PSG

Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike suffered a serious-looking injury during Tuesday night’s Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

There are fears his season could be over, and doubts over his involvement at this summer’s World Cup.

The 23-year-old was stretchered off in the first half at Anfield as Arne Slot’s side fell to a 2-0 loss on the night, sealing a crushing 4-0 aggregate exit from Europe.

He appeared in significant discomfort as medical staff rushed onto the pitch, with the severity of the issue immediately apparent.

Liverpool boss Slot offered a sombre update after the match, admitting the early signs are not encouraging.

He said (via Liverpoolfc.com), “It didn’t look good,” he said. “We all saw that. We have to wait for the full diagnosis, but it’s clearly not a positive situation.”

“Losing the game is tough, especially in this manner, but losing a player again – that’s something we’ve dealt with too often this season,” he added.

“And for him, at this stage of the campaign, it’s especially hard.”

Defender and international teammate Ibrahima Konate echoed those concerns, admitting fears over the striker’s immediate future. “I am very sad for him,” he said.

“With the World Cup coming, this is a very difficult moment. I hope he comes back quickly.”

Ekitike is expected to undergo scans within the next 48 hours, but there are growing concerns he may not feature again this season.

That would be a significant blow for both Liverpool and France, with the forward having broken into the international set-up last year.

He had positioned himself as a strong contender to lead the line for Didier Deschamps’ squad while Kylian Mbappe plays off the left.

Ekitike joined Liverpool for £69 million from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer and was enjoying a promising debut campaign (17 goals and six assists).

On the pitch, Liverpool’s elimination was already effectively sealed after the first leg in Paris.

Ousmane Dembele’s second-half brace at Anfield ensured there would be no comeback.

Slot’s side must reflect on a damaging European exit and now, potentially, the loss of a key attacker at a pivotal moment.