Liverpool manager Arne Slot has backed Hugo Ekitike to bounce back stronger after the striker suffered a season-ending Achilles injury that has also dashed his World Cup hopes.
The 23-year-old France international ruptured his Achilles during Liverpool’s Champions League exit against his former club Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday. Ekitike is now expected to be sidelined for at least nine months.
The injury comes as a major setback in what had been a standout debut campaign in England, with Ekitike netting 17 goals following his £69 million ($93m) move from Eintracht Frankfurt. His form had put him firmly in contention for a place in Didier Deschamps’ France squad for the upcoming World Cup.
“Devastating for him,” Slot said on Friday. “Missing out on so many special moments, but he’s not the first and won’t be the last to experience something like this early in his career.”
Despite the blow, Slot remains confident the forward can turn adversity into strength.
“There are so many examples of players who came back even stronger, and that’s now his challenge,” he added. “I’m 100% sure he will be one of those players who, in 10 to 15 years, says this injury helped him reach an even higher level.”
Ekitike’s absence is a significant blow to Liverpool’s push for Champions League qualification. The Reds currently sit fifth in the Premier League—enough for qualification—with a four-point cushion over sixth-placed Chelsea.
However, the race remains tight. Everton could close the gap to just two points if they win Sunday’s Merseyside derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Slot’s side also face a challenging run-in, with fixtures against Chelsea, Manchester United and Aston Villa still to come in their final six matches.
There was some positive news for Liverpool with the return of Alexander Isak, whose availability comes at a crucial time following Ekitike’s injury.
The £125 million striker—still the Premier League’s most expensive signing—made his first start since December against PSG but lasted only 45 minutes. Slot confirmed the Swedish forward is not yet ready for a full 90 minutes.
“It’s nice to have Alex back, although we know he’s not ready to play a full match yet,” Slot said.
Liverpool’s decision to spend over £200 million on two central strikers last summer had drawn criticism, particularly amid inconsistent results this season.
However, Slot believes the injuries to both Ekitike and Isak highlight the importance of squad depth.
“It’s good that we signed two number nines,” he said. “There were a lot of questions about it, but now it shows why it was the right decision. You can’t rely on just one striker at this level.”
