Arne Slot, Liverpool's head coach, warned that Hugo Ekitike's injury was "very serious" after the French forward was forced to leave the field on a stretcher during Liverpool's Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield. The incident occurred just before the 30-minute mark, when Ekitike, who had been playing alongside a surprise starter Alexander Isak after a lengthy lay‑off, collapsed after a seemingly severe lower‑leg injury. He fell to the turf without any nearby opposition, clutching the right side of his ankle and grimacing in obvious pain.
Teammates rushed to his side, and medical staff quickly attended to him before he was taken off the pitch on a stretcher, making way for Mohamed Salah. Slot, speaking to Amazon Prime after the match, described the situation as "not good" and expressed concern that the injury might involve the Achilles tendon. "He's not looking well. We could all see it didn't look promising.
He left in the second half, and I haven't seen him yet," Slot said. He added that losing a player at such a crucial stage of the season compounds the disappointment of a defeat. "Losing a match is hard, but losing a player is something we've experienced many times this season.
It's very tough for him right now," the manager continued. During the post‑match press conference, Slot reiterated that the injury looked "really bad" but admitted the exact severity would only be known after further medical examinations. "It looks really bad, but it's difficult for me to say how bad. Tomorrow we will investigate this further and find out the extent of the damage," he explained.
The uncertainty surrounding Ekitike's condition is especially worrying given his contribution this season – he has already netted 19 goals for Liverpool and the French national team and was expected to be a key figure for France at the upcoming World Cup, provided he remains fit. Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté voiced his sympathy, saying, "I'm very sad for him. I think it's bad. I heard a lot of rumors, but I don't want to discuss them because with the World Cup coming, it's a difficult time for him.
I send him my prayers and all my support." The emotional response from teammates highlighted the personal impact of the injury beyond its tactical implications. Despite the setback, Slot tried to find positives in Liverpool's overall performance. The Reds entered the second leg with a mountain to climb after a 2‑0 defeat at the Parc des Princes, a result that did not reflect the dominance they displayed in the first half of that match.
PSG's missed chances gave Liverpool hope of a comeback, but key moments – including a controversially overturned penalty and a decisive second‑half brace from Ousmane Dembélé – ensured a 2‑0 win for the French side and a 4‑0 aggregate victory, ending Liverpool's European campaign. Reflecting on the night, Slot praised his squad's progress compared to the previous week.
"We've made a lot of progress compared to last week. I have to give a lot of credit to the players for how hard they worked, and to our fans for supporting us and helping us execute our game plan," he said.
He highlighted the importance of a high‑pressing style and the encouragement from the Anfield crowd, noting that the atmosphere can lift the team’s intensity. Slot also acknowledged the team's continued struggles with finishing chances. "Unfortunately, it's another example this season where we haven't been able to convert the many opportunities we create. Our expected goals (xG) figures have been underwhelming all season," he admitted.
The manager added that Ekitike's injury, the VAR decision that went against Liverpool, and a general lack of clinical finishing all contributed to the disappointment. Nevertheless, Slot remained optimistic about the future. "The future looks very bright for this team because we've shown we can compete with the champions of Europe on our own ground and dominate the game," he asserted. He pointed out that generating a high volume of chances against a side like PSG is a sign of quality, even if the final conversion rate was lacking.
"Many teams can't be dominant against Paris Saint-Germain and create as many opportunities as we did. But chances are one thing; scoring is another," he concluded. Looking ahead, Liverpool's focus shifts from European ambitions to securing a place in next season's Champions League as the Premier League campaign resumes with a derby against Everton on Sunday. Analyst Tim Sherwood, speaking on Sky Sports, echoed the sentiment that Liverpool were the superior side despite the loss.
"I still think there was a penalty for Liverpool – there was contact on the back of the leg, and the player was entitled to go down," he argued. Sherwood added that if Liverpool maintain this level of performance, they will almost certainly qualify for the Champions League, but warned that Slot's job could be on the line if qualification is not achieved. In summary, the match was a bittersweet mix of disappointment and promise. While the defeat and Ekitike's injury were painful blows, the team's overall play, fan support, and evident progress under Slot's guidance provide a foundation for optimism.
The coming weeks will be crucial for assessing Ekitike's recovery, addressing the team's finishing issues, and ensuring Liverpool remains in contention for Europe's elite competition next season.