Arne Slott talks about Hugo Ekitike’s injury. The Liverpool forward is expected to be out until at least 2027 with a ruptured Achilles tendon.
Arne Slott speaking at the press conference in front of Everton (Image: This Is Anfield)
Liverpool manager Arne Slott has revealed that Hugo Ekitike has yet to undergo surgery on the Achilles injury sustained in Tuesday’s Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Ekitike, 23, left the pitch on a stretcher in tears just 31 minutes into the quarter-final second leg at Anfield. The France international collapsed off the ball after attempting a sprint and was in severe pain. He received immediate medical treatment before being taken off the pitch and straight into the tunnel.
Slott voiced his concerns after the game, with Liverpool confirming that Ekitike has ruptured his Achilles tendon and is expected to be sidelined for a long time. As well as missing the remainder of this season and this summer’s World Cup, there are fears Ekitike may not return until at least 2027.
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Speaking about Ekitike’s injury for the first time since it was revealed he would be out for several months, Slott spoke at a press conference outside Everton: “He hasn’t had surgery yet.
“It’s shocking to see him come to his new club and make such an impact so soon. Playing against his former club in the Champions League quarter-finals will mean a lot for him in the summer.
“The first thing that strikes me is that he was out for such a long time and missed out on so many special moments. He won’t be the first or last player to go through something like this at the start of his career and there are many examples of players who have come back stronger and 100 per cent he will be one of them.
“Maybe this injury will make me even stronger and ready to play at a higher level.”
Hugo Ekitike suffered a serious Achilles tendon injury against PSG on Tuesday (Image: Getty Images)
Immediately after Liverpool confirmed the extent of Ekitike’s injury, he sent a message on social media.
In his post, Ekitike said: “It’s difficult and maybe even unfair… but I’m grateful that this is happening to me here, among you. I’m not alone. Your strength and your love keep me going. See you soon, Anfield (love heart emoji).”
Liverpool’s statement and Ekitike’s message came less than 24 hours after French manager Didier Deschamps decided to exclude the forward from his squad for this summer’s North American World Cup.
“Unfortunately, due to the severity of (Ekitike’s) injury, he will not be able to finish the season with Liverpool and participate in the World Cup,” Deschamps said in a statement to FFF on Wednesday.
“This injury is a big blow not only for him but also for the French national team. I wanted to express my full support to him and the entire coaching staff.”
Ekitike, who joined the Reds in a £69m deal from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer, has scored 11 goals and provided five assists in 28 Premier League appearances this season.
