Liverpool’s attacking options have taken a significant hit following the news that Hugo Ekitiké is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
According to reports from L’Equipe, the 23-year-old forward has suffered a ruptured right Achilles tendon, an injury that effectively rules him out of action until at least January.
Just before half-time, the 23-year-old fell to the ground and was stretchered off the pitch in the 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
It’s a big blow to both the Reds and his national team as he will now miss the World Cup this summer in North America, and Arne Slot will be without his top scorer in the Premier League.
Liverpool take on Everton this weekend, as well as some other tough tests over the next few weeks, as they look to finish their season strongly, but it will be without the French striker.
Ekitike’s year is over
It’s been an incredibly difficult season for the Merseyside club, with them currently in fifth place, and will end the season trophyless, for only the second time in eight years.
However, as many have struggled, Ekitike has been a crucial part of Slot’s side this season and has looked like the best signing from several players who joined the club last summer.
He started his first game alongside Alexander Isak yesterday, after the Swede’s recovery from a broken leg, but it will now be another long period of time without the two sharing the pitch.
The Dutch manager offered an update on Amazon after the game, saying it’s a difficult one to take.
Reported by Liverpool.com, he said, “I think we could all see that it didn’t look well and didn’t look good.”
He continued.
“It’s especially very hard for him, because you never wanna be injured, especially at this moment in the season.”
The Anfield outfit’s final away games are against David Moyes’ Blues, Manchester United and Aston Villa, all tricky tests, and without the goals the Frenchmen has delivered in important moments, it becomes even more complicated.
Liverpool injuries continue
Ekitike is another name added to a list of players who have faced serious injury problems this season.
His strike partner, Isak, had been out since December with a broken leg in an away game against Spurs, and he has only just returned to the team, though his fitness levels seem a long way from completing 90 minutes.
Fellow summer signing Jeremie Frimpong suffered a hamstring injury, while Giovanni Leoni sustained an ACL injury back in September.
Jeremy Jacquet will move to Merseyside this summer after a deal was agreed in January, but he’s been out with a shoulder injury and won’t be fit until the summer.
These injuries will affect the Reds in the transfer market, as Slot’s team will be without two of their most important attacking players in Ekitike and Mohamed Salah.
The loss of Ekitike leaves a significant gap in Liverpool’s attack, and how they cope in the coming months is crucial while he’s recovering.
