Liverpool’s season went from bad to worse against PSG.

Hugo Ekitiké’s season is over. | Liverpool FC

A miserable Champions League night for Liverpool took another downward turn when Hugo Ekitiké collapsed to the turf late in the first half of the 2–0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

The summer signing was in visible distress as he left the pitch on a stretcher and immediate fears of a serious problem were exacerbated by Arne Slot’s postgame comments.

“Hugo looks really bad but it is difficult to say how bad,” Slot confessed.

“Let’s see. It doesn’t look good, that is clear.”

Center back Ibrahima Konaté was similarly downbeat, adding: “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.”

Here’s everything you need to know about Ekitiké’s injury.

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What Injury Does Ekitiké Have?

There was immediate concern from both sets of players. | Catherine Ivill/AMA/Getty Images

No formal diagnosis has been revealed just yet, but fans were left incredibly worried by the sight of a devastated Ekitiké needing a stretcher to leave the field.

Ekitiké was grabbing his ankle as he sat on the ground, indicating a potential Achilles injury. Problems in that area can range in severity.

Reports in France state that, unfortunately, Ekitiké has ruptured his Achilles tendon, forcing him into an extended period on the sidelines.

When Will Ekitiké Return From Injury?

Ekitiké left the field on a stretcher. | Liverpool FC/Getty Images

Again, a timeline can only be established once the full extent of Ekitiké’s injury is determined.

If Ekitiké has suffered an nasty Achilles injury, the usual recovery timeline sits at around nine months and it would take a superhuman effort for him to be back on the pitch before the end of 2026.

His absence could stretch well into 2027 if any setbacks arise. Realistically, Ekitiké may not be back to his best until the start of the 2027–28 campaign.

What Matches Could Ekitiké Miss Through Injury?

More bad news for Arne Slot. | Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images

With just six games and as many weeks left of the season, Ekitiké’s 2025–26 campaign was accepted to be over before any tests were conducted.

A ruptured Achilles means Ekitiké is staring at nine months on the sidelines at the very least. Not only is his season over, but the Frenchman will also be denied a spot at his first World Cup, which gets underway in just under eight weeks.

Nine months would put Ekitiké’s return at January 2027 but, as Slot has been eager to stress this season with fellow striker Alexander Isak, being back on the pitch is not the same as returning to a pre-injury level.

While Liverpool fans may see Ekitiké back in action early next year, they will have to be incredibly patient while he works his way back to full fitness.

Liverpool’s Remaining Premier League Fixtures

Opponent

Date

Everton (A)

April 19

Crystal Palace (H)

April 25

Man Utd (A)

May 3

Chelsea (H)

May 9

Aston Villa (A)

May 17

Brentford (H)

May 24

BOOMSHOCK: A New Era Takes Shape at Anfield

The 2026 summer transfer window is set to be a defining moment for Liverpool FC, as the club prepares for life after its golden era. Behind the scenes, a bold and ambitious rebuild is underway—one focused less on established stars and more on youth, pace, and high-energy players who fit a specific tactical model. The goal is to reshape the squad with dynamic, technically gifted attackers capable of bringing a new edge to Liverpool’s play.

At the center of this plan is Yan Diomande of RB Leipzig. The 19-year-old has emerged as one of Europe’s most exciting young talents, delivering impressive goal contributions in the Bundesliga. However, securing his signature won’t be easy. Leipzig are in a strong position and reportedly value him at around €100 million, leaving Liverpool with a tough choice—pay a premium fee or risk losing out to competitors.

The Battle for Morgan Rogers

Liverpool are also monitoring Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa. However, interest from top clubs such as Manchester United, Arsenal FC, Chelsea FC, and Paris Saint-Germain has driven his price close to £100 million. Liverpool’s cautious transfer policy makes entering such a bidding war unlikely unless circumstances change.

A Shift Toward Youth

This strategy signals a wider shift toward younger, developing players. However, it may come at a cost. Alexis Mac Allister could potentially be sold despite his popularity, as the club may look to reinvest funds into attacking reinforcements. Similarly, Cody Gakpo faces uncertainty, with concerns about his output raising the possibility of a future transfer, especially if his value increases after international tournaments.

Changes at the Back

The overhaul could also affect the defense. Joe Gomez may see his role reduced due to increased competition and potential new signings. His future at the club will likely be decided after internal discussions. Meanwhile, Liverpool are reportedly interested in João Gomes of Wolverhampton Wanderers, who is believed to favor a move to Anfield.

A High-Risk, High-Reward Strategy

Liverpool’s approach reflects a long-term vision focused on sustainability, youth development, and tactical evolution. It’s a bold gamble—one that could either spark the rise of a new dominant team or lead to a period of inconsistency.

What’s certain is that the squad heading into next season will look very different: younger, faster, and more unpredictable. With talents like Diomande and Rogers potentially leading the way, Liverpool are preparing to define a new era at Anfield.

Noni Madueke and Bukayo Saka v Wigan Athletic

Mikel Arteta has given his latest update on Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke ahead of our trip to Manchester City in the Premier League.

Bukayo hasn’t featured for us since the Carabao Cup final against Sunday’s opponents, and during his press conference, Mikel ruled the England international out of the contest.

“Bukayo is out, that’s for sure,” he said. “He’s just starting to do some stuff, so let’s see that progression, how quickly we can go through it, and then wait, but at the moment it’s not about that.”

Another option down the right is Madueke, who was forced off in our 0-0 draw against Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg.

On whether the winger would be fit for the trip to Manchester, Mikel said: “We have another training session tomorrow. He didn’t look that bad after the game, and he was quite positive. He’s a player who pushes through pain, so I’m hopeful that he can be available, but we have to wait and see if he’s able to train tomorrow.

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“We’ve had to cope with that [injuries] all season and if you look back at the stages and the players that we’ve missed for big, big, big periods and where we are, it’s not normal where we are.

“But we have coped with that because of our mentality and the solutions that we find, the way the players have stepped up in this moment. And we are where we are. We are still very strong and we will remain the same way.”

Jurrien Timber, Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori also missed the quarter-final second leg against Sporting.

When asked if the trio would be in contention, Mikel said: “We will try again. Some players are quite close, but the turnaround is short, so we will try tomorrow to push everybody, and if they are in good condition, they will be part of us, and if not, they won’t. They haven’t been in the last few weeks, unfortunately.”