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Liverpool lose 2-0 to PSG and 4-0 on aggregate, Hugo Ekitike likely out for season with suspected Achilles injury, Arne Slot rues missed chances but praises Alexander Isak return.
Hugo Ekitike was stretchered off in Liverpool’s Champions League exit (AP)
Liverpool manager Arne Slot admitted it is unlikely Hugo Ekitike will play again this season after the forward suffered a serious injury during their UEFA Champions League quarter-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
The match at Anfield ended in a 2-0 loss for Liverpool, with PSG progressing comfortably 4-0 on aggregate.
Ekitike’s injury compounded an already disappointing night for the English side.
Ekitike Out For Season?
The striker went down clutching his lower right leg, with early indications suggesting a possible Achilles tendon rupture, an injury that could also affect his chances of representing France at the upcoming World Cup.
Speaking after the game, Slot said: “It looks really bad, but difficult for me to say how bad,” adding: “Tomorrow we will investigate this further. Let’s see, but it doesn’t look good.”
Slot had started Ekitike alongside Alexander Isak, who was making his first appearance in the XI since recovering from a broken leg. However, injuries have been a recurring problem for Liverpool this season, contributing to their struggles both domestically and in Europe.
“Losing a player is something we have had many times this season, but it is especially hard for him because you never want to be injured, especially at this time of the season,” Slot said, while also noting: “The good thing is Alex is back.”
Despite controlling large portions of the game and creating numerous chances, Liverpool failed to convert, while PSG capitalised through a brace from Ousmane Dembele.
Reflecting on this, Slot said: “Unfortunately, it’s one of the many examples of this season where we weren’t able to score from the many chances we had,” and added: “Again, we were so far underperforming in terms of xG (expected goals of 1.94), and that is just an ongoing thing with us throughout the whole season.”
VAR At Fault For Loss?
Slot also highlighted a VAR decision that went against his side. “Another intervention of the VAR which was not in our favour, and that’s also not for the first time this season,” he said.
“Then of course we are very disappointed, because I think there were parts in the second half where you could just feel that if we can score now, this is going to become a special night,” he added.
Praising Isak’s return, Slot remarked: “He was twice close to a goal, and that’s why you play a striker of his level,” adding: “If I thought he wasn’t ready, I wouldn’t have played him.” Despite the setback, he remains optimistic, stating: “The future looks very bright for this team, for this club, because we’ve shown we can compete with the champions of Europe and be the dominant team in our stadium,” before concluding: “Not many teams can be dominant against Paris St Germain and generate so many chances, as we did. But, yeah, chances is one thing, scoring is a second.”
(With inputs from Agencies)
United Kingdom (UK)
April 15, 2026, 08:47 IST
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