Ekitike Set to Make…

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has labeled Hugo Ekitike’s Achilles injury as “devastating,” yet he remains confident the striker will return “even stronger.”

Ekitike had to leave the field after just 31 minutes during Liverpool’s Champions League quarterfinal against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday. The club has since confirmed that the France international has sustained a severe Achilles injury.

This injury will rule Ekitike out of this summer’s World Cup and he is expected to be sidelined for at least nine months, which will limit his contributions next season.

“He hasn’t undergone surgery yet,” Slot stated. “This is truly heartbreaking for him, especially after making such an impact upon joining the club. It’s natural to think of him, considering how long he will be out and the special moments he will miss.”

“He’s not the first player to encounter something like this early in their career, and he definitely won’t be the last. Many players have returned stronger from similar situations. That’s the challenge he faces now, and I’m completely confident that in 10-15 years, he might even reflect on this injury as a pivotal point that made him better equipped to perform at a higher level.”

In light of Ekitike’s injury, there is increased responsibility placed on fellow summer acquisition Alexander Isak to step up. The Swedish international has faced challenges with both form and fitness since his £125 million ($167.82m) transfer from Newcastle United last summer, recently making his first start in four months following a recovery from a broken fibula.

“The bright side is that we have two No. 9s on board, which many questioned initially,” Slot mentioned. “We did not want to be the only club in the world relying on a single striker, and now, in hindsight, it looks wise. There are discussions about whether we might need a third No. 9 now.”

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“It’s ironic that as Alex returns after four months, Hugo has to leave the pitch with a long-term injury. It’s great to have Alex back, even if it’s not the first game I have to adapt without a specific type of player in a given position. This season, I’ve faced many games without a right full-back, for instance. While having Alex back is positive, we must acknowledge he may not be prepared to play a full 90 minutes just yet.”

Regarding the urgency for Isak to get back to form ahead of this weekend’s match against Everton, Slot remarked, “It’s crucial, although there are other players capable of taking on that role. Some of them have played various positions throughout their careers. Cody [Gakpo] performed admirably when he came on during the second half against PSG. While it holds significance, it’s not an immediate fix.”

“Had Hugo been fit for a few more weeks, that would have been ideal; however, with Alex, we need to be careful since he may not be ready for the full intensity of 90 minutes, given the unpredictable nature of match dynamics.

“He’s getting closer and closer to being match-ready. It’s essential right now, but we also have several players who can fill that No. 9 role. Federico Chiesa is one of the alternatives. While it’s reassuring to have Alex back, especially with Hugo’s injury, we also have other options.”