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Ekitike stretchered off as Liverpool crash out
Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike was carried off on a stretcher during Tuesday's 2-0 Champions League quarter-final defeat by Paris St-Germain, a match that ended the Reds' European campaign on a 4-0 aggregate loss.
Slot fears serious injury
Manager Arne Slot described the 22-year-old's condition as "really bad" after the French striker went down without contact 30 minutes into the second leg at Anfield.
"It is difficult to say how bad," Slot told reporters. "Let's see. It doesn't look good, that is clear. I didn't see him at half-time and after the game he was already home. I have not spoken to him yet."
Season in numbers
Ekitike joined Liverpool last summer from Eintracht Frankfurt and has registered 17 goals in 45 appearances across all competitions, including 11 in the Premier League this season.
World Cup hopes in doubt
A prolonged absence would jeopardise Ekitike's chances of earning a place in France's squad for the upcoming World Cup in North America.
"I think it is bad. I don't know, I have heard many things, I have no word to talk about that because with the World Cup coming it is very, very hard for him and I send him my prayers."
Teammate Ibrahima Konaté, speaking to Amazon Prime
Slot's attacking trio rarely complete 90 minutes
Ekitike started alongside Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, but the trio had only played 88 minutes together before Tuesday's match.
"For 88 minutes until tonight we have played with Florian, Alex and Hugo, we added about 27 to that, and I would be surprised if we add more minutes to that this season," Slot said. "The good thing is Alex is back."
