Liverpool manager Arne Slot confirms latest Injury blow to Hugo Ekitike

Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who is under immense pressure to turn the situation around at Anfield, has confirmed the extent of striker Hugo Ekitike’s latest injury setback, following their disastrous performance in the Champions League against Dutch side PSV Eindhoven.

Ekitike was forced off with a back injury during Wednesday’s Champions League 4-1 defeat to PSV, raising fresh concerns for the struggling Reds.

The French international felt discomfort early in the match and was substituted just after the hour mark, leaving Slot visibly frustrated as the team’s pressing collapsed and their poor run continued.

Liverpool endured a difficult Champions League night as they fell to a heavy home defeat against PSV, and their problems were compounded by an injury to summer signing Ekitike.

The forward struggled to make an impact and was substituted in the 61st minute, by which point Liverpool’s pressing intensity had noticeably declined, leaving them chasing the game.

PSV scored twice, taking control of the game following the withdrawal of the star striker, which eventually left the Reds with devastating results on the night.

The latest defeat brings Liverpool’s total defeats to nine in the last twelve games in all competitions for Slot’s side, their most defeats over a 12-game spell since November 1953 to January 1954 (also 9).

Arne Slot in press conference on player injury update

Ekitike had returned to the starting XI with an expectation to provide much-needed attacking impact, but it quickly became clear that something was wrong with his movement.

He would later be substituted for Liverpool’s British record signing, Alexander Isak; however, the visitors had already done the damage, rendering Liverpool’s response ineffective.

The defeat marked Liverpool’s third consecutive loss across all competitions, intensifying their alarming dip in form. With Ekitike’s injury now adding to their mounting concerns, the Reds face a critical Premier League clash against West Ham this weekend.

Speaking after the game, Slot admitted to having sensed something wrong with Ekitike almost immediately after half-time.

“Especially at the start of the second half, I constantly felt, ‘What’s wrong with Hugo?’, he said.

“It felt as if he couldn’t move as he did [in] the first half. So, that’s why our press was, I think, also a little bit off.

“And he just told me that in the first five to 10 minutes of the first half, he already felt his back too much. That’s also why he had to go out.”

Ekitike’s injury strikes at a precarious time for Liverpool, who are already grappling with mounting pressure and injuries after a dismal run of results across all competitions.

Liverpool’s strong start had seen the 23-year-old show off his scoring ability as he looked to capitalise on Isak’s absence. However, the French striker’s form has also seemed to drop off lately, scoring just once in his last ten appearances for the Reds.

Liverpool will now turn their attention to the weekend’s Premier League encounter away to West Ham, hoping to turn things around and salvage their season with a win on a difficult ground.

Ekitike’s availability remains uncertain, and the medical team will assess his back issue in the coming days to determine whether he can play a part in that important game.