Liverpool's final chance at silverware was dashed away alongside Hugo Ekitike's World Cup dreams after suffering a severe injury on Tuesday
Hugo Ekitike grimaces
Hugo Ekitike could be out of action for several months(Image: Xavier Laine, Getty Images)
View 3 Images
Liverpool's disastrous campaign continues to deteriorate with Hugo Ekitike the latest casualty of a troubling season. The Reds were eliminated from the Champions League on Tuesday following their 2-0 home defeat to Paris Saint-Germain which confirmed a 4-0 aggregate loss to the competition holders.
To compound matters, the French striker was carried off in the second half with a suspected Achilles injury, potentially ending his debut campaign on Merseyside. Liverpool supporters aren't alone in looking forward to the summer transfer window with Arne Slot already addressing the club's potential activity.
Reports have now claimed Ekitike's injury could have an impact on Liverpool's transfer strategy, while Slot has also acknowledged his squad will need to overcome a 'challenge' as they prepare to move forward without Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson.
Hugo Ekitike injury consequence
Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool suffers a suspected Achilles tendon injury during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield on April 14 2026
Hugo Ekitike suffered a suspected Achilles tendon injury(Image: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
View 3 Images
According to The Athletic, Ekitike will be sidelined for several months due to the injury he sustained against the French champions. The outlet reports to have been informed by sources that the France international has suffered a suspected Achilles rupture that is expected to rule him out of the World Cup in June.
Liverpool are yet to confirm the injury, with the concentration of the club on Wednesday instead on marking the 37th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, but such an injury would mean the 23-year-old misses out on his maiden chance to represent his nation in a major tournament and he could also be unavailable for the opening months of next season as well. Should that prove to be the case, the report suggests, it could carry significant ramifications for Liverpool's transfer activity.
FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page
Given that Salah is poised to exit the club with Federico Chiesa also likely to move on, the Reds could enter the 26/27 campaign with an attacking lineup comprising solely Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha which, according to the report, is 'bound to have an impact on the club’s summer transfer plans'.
Arne Slot admission
Characterising the club as one in "transition", Arne Slot acknowledged following the PSG loss that losing Salah and Robertson on free transfers has compounded the challenge he faces to restore the club to competing for and securing silverware.
He told Prime Video: "Now we are losing Mo and Andy Robertson on a free transfer as we lost Trent [Alexander-Arnold] and this model of the club means we need to sell, usually, to buy. So it's a big challenge. It was already last season. It's going to be a challenge in the summer again.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain FC
Arne Slot admitted the summer will be difficult for Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images))
View 3 Images
"This club has also shown many times that this model works and we can be very successful with his model," Slot added. Tuesday's loss confirmed that the Dutchman's second campaign at Anfield will conclude without silverware but he opted to stay positive about his squad's prospects.
He continued: "I think we have signed very good and talented players. Now let's hope they are all fit. That most of them go into their second season in the Premier League. As I've said many times, the future looks really good, especially if we can add a few good signings after the players leaving this summer."