Arne Slot did not mince words when he described the condition of Hugo Ekitike after the French forward was taken off the pitch on a stretcher during Liverpool's Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain. Slot said the injury was "really bad," underscoring the seriousness of the situation and the concern it has generated among the coaching staff and fans alike. The incident unfolded early in the second half at Anfield.
After Alexander Isak finally earned a surprise start following a long spell on the sidelines, Ekitike suffered what appeared to be a serious lower‑leg problem just before the 30‑minute mark. The striker collapsed onto the turf without any immediate contact from an opponent, clutching the right side of his ankle and grimacing in evident pain. Teammates quickly gathered around him, and medical personnel rushed to provide assistance. Within moments, Ekitike was hoisted onto a stretcher and escorted off the field, making way for Mohamed Salah, who was brought on as his replacement.
Slot, speaking to the Amazon Prime broadcast, expressed his disappointment and worry: "He's not good. We could all see that it didn't look good.
He went home in the second half so I haven't seen him yet." The manager's tone reflected a mixture of frustration over the loss and genuine concern for a player who has been a vital part of Liverpool's attacking options this season. In the post‑match press conference, Slot added further detail, saying, "It looks really bad but it's difficult for me to say exactly how bad. Tomorrow we will investigate this further, to understand the extent of the damage." He emphasized that the injury could potentially be an Achilles problem, a scenario that would likely keep Ekitike sidelined for an extended period, especially with the World Cup looming. Ekitike's contributions this season have been notable.
He has already found the net 19 times for Liverpool and France combined, and his form had positioned him as a strong candidate for France's World Cup squad, provided he remained fit. The prospect of missing a major international tournament adds another layer of anxiety for the player and his supporters.
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté voiced his sympathy, stating, "I'm very sad for him. I think it is bad.
I don't know. I heard many things, but I don't want to talk about that because with the World Cup, all of the things coming this summer, it's very hard for him at this moment. I send him my prayers and everything." Konaté's remarks highlighted the emotional impact on the squad, as they grapple with both a disappointing Champions League exit and the loss of a key attacking option. While the injury dominated headlines, Slot also tried to extract positives from the overall performance.
Liverpool entered the second leg needing to overturn a 2‑0 deficit from the first encounter at the Parc des Princes, where they had been outclassed despite a relatively modest scoreline. The Reds had hoped that PSG's missed chances would give them a foothold, but controversial refereeing decisions and a reversed penalty left them frustrated. Ousmane Dembélé's brace in the second half secured a 2‑0 victory for PSG, sealing a 4‑0 aggregate win and ending Liverpool's hopes of reaching the semi‑finals.
Despite the disappointment, Slot praised his team's work ethic: "We made a lot of progression compared to last week. I have to give a lot of credit to the players, how hard they worked. I also have to thank our fans, whose support helped us execute our game plan. When we press high, having fans behind us makes a huge difference." He acknowledged the team's inability to convert the many chances they created, noting that Liverpool's expected goals (xG) figures were well below what they should have been throughout the season.
Slot also touched on the broader challenges that have plagued Liverpool this campaign, including recurring VAR interventions that have not always gone in their favour. He said, "Add to that a bad injury to Ekitike, which we still need to confirm, and another VAR decision that didn't help us.
It's been a tough season in that regard." Nevertheless, he remained optimistic about the future, pointing out that Liverpool had shown they could compete with Europe's elite on their own ground, generating a high volume of chances even against a dominant PSG side. Looking ahead, Liverpool's focus shifts from European ambitions to securing a place in next season's Champions League. Their Premier League schedule resumes with a crucial Merseyside derby against Everton on Sunday, a match that could provide valuable points and momentum. Former player Tim Sherwood, appearing on Sky Sports, backed the team's performance, stating, "Liverpool were the better team tonight.
I still think there was a penalty for Liverpool – there was contact on the back of the leg, and he should have gone down. If they keep playing like that, they'll definitely qualify for the Champions League." Sherwood also warned that Slot's job security could hinge on the team's ability to secure European qualification, adding, "Arne Slot needs to qualify for the Champions League to keep his job, but he should be encouraged by that second‑half performance." The sentiment reflects the pressure on the manager to deliver results in a season that has already seen its share of setbacks. In summary, the night at Anfield was marked by a mixture of disappointment, concern, and cautious optimism.
Hugo Ekitike's injury, described as "really bad" by Arne Slot, casts a shadow over Liverpool's attacking options and potentially threatens his participation in the upcoming World Cup. Meanwhile, the team must regroup quickly, address their finishing woes, and aim to secure enough league points to guarantee a return to the Champions League next season. The upcoming derby against Everton offers a chance to bounce back, while the coaching staff and players alike hope for positive news regarding Ekitike's recovery in the days to come.