Arne Slot has confirmed that Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike suffered a back injury in their shock 4-1 defeat to PSV in the Champions League.
The France international was forced off in the second half with an apparent back spasm and was replaced by Alexander Isak as Liverpool fell to another damaging defeat in front of their own fans.
The Anfield side suffered their ninth loss in 12 games across all competitions on Wednesday night and lost by three goals for the third consecutive time, placing even more pressure on Slot following a dismal start to both domestic and European campaigns.
Hugo Ekitike Suffers Back Injury
Arne Slot
Slot, speaking post-match, revealed that he felt something was ‘wrong’ with Ekitike right from the start of the second half, before explaining that he was withdrawn due to a back issue:
"Especially at the start of the second half, I constantly felt: 'What's wrong with Hugo?'
"It felt as if he couldn't move as he did [in] the first half. So, that's why our press was, I think, also a little bit off.
"And he just told me that in the first five to 10 minutes of the first half he already felt his back too much.
"That's also why he had to go out."
Ekitike struggled to make an impact on the night, attempting four shots, two of which were on target, and registering just 30 touches of the ball in his 61 minutes of play.
The Frenchman has now gone goalless in his last six appearances for the Reds, with his last goal coming in the 5-1 win over his former club Eintracht Frankfurt in October.
Alexander Isak Must Step Up
Liverpool's Alexander Isak raises his arms.
UEFA Champions League - Liverpool v PSV Eindhoven - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - November 26, 2025 Liverpool's Alexander Isak reacts REUTERS/Phil Noble
While it remains to be seen whether Ekitike’s injury is serious, the Frenchman’s absence could be the perfect opportunity for Isak to finally kickstart his Anfield career.
The Sweden international has yet to score in nine Premier League and Champions League appearances since joining and has faced heavy criticism amid his struggles up front.
Liverpool’s record £125m signing netted his only goal in the 2-1 win over Southampton in the EFL Cup in September and has gone goalless in his last four appearances for Sweden, with his last goal for his country coming in March.
Six Liverpool Stars Could Miss West Ham
Alisson
Ekitike has joined Liverpool’s lengthy list of absentees ahead of their Premier League test against West Ham United on Sunday.
The Reds could be without as many as six players for the contest, with Florian Wirtz, Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong and Giovanni Leoni sidelined through injury, while Alisson is suffering from an illness.