Hugo Ekitike was forced off with an injury against Brighton, picking up an upper thigh problem less than 10 minutes into the Premier League fixture.
Ekitike was in tears as he came off at the Amex Stadium after taking a forceful hit from James Milner just minutes into the match.
He stayed on the ground and required treatment before being assisted off the pitch. He attempted to continue but ultimately signalled to the bench.
In the eighth minute, Curtis Jones replaced the Frenchman, whose involvement for his country in the upcoming international break will now be under question.
On first look, it would appear that Ekitike sustained a corked muscle due to Milner’s hip making forceful contact with the forward’s upper thigh.
The key to working through the issue initially is to keep moving so blood does not pool in the area, but Ekitike struggled to do more than hobble.
It remains to be seen how serious the issue is, but it was the last thing Liverpool needed, having already lost Mo Salah and Alisson after the midweek win against Galatasaray.
Ekitike has been relied upon heavily with Alexander Isak missing the majority of the season, starting 12 of the last 16 games in all competitions.
He, himself, has been forced to miss three games this season due to suspension (one) and injury (two).
Alexander Isak to return vs. PSG
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 17, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd Leg match between Liverpool FC and Galatasaray A.?. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The good news for Liverpool is they are expecting Isak to mark his return when they travel to face PSG in the Champions League on April 8, with Slot confirming the news on Friday.
“He will be available [against PSG],” Slot started. “The question is what you mean by ‘ready’.
“If you want to have the player who played exactly a year ago against us in the Carabao Cup final, and was too good for us on that day, then I would tell you I have my doubts about that after months out. But I expect I can use him for minutes.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 20, 2025: Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike is replaced by substitute Alexander Isak during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Everton FC at Anfield. The 247th Merseyside Derby. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“Exactly what I get from that I cannot tell you because he hasn’t trained with the team even once. You don’t after one training session play 45 minutes or 90 minutes.
“If we wanted to arrange a game, it would have to be three-v-three because we only have Federico, Curtis and Joe available [the rest of the first-team squad are in recovery after Galatasaray].
“We have the under-21s team, but Alex is not yet ready to play in the international break. If he would have been, he would have been with Sweden.”