On Wednesday morning, Liverpool’s worst fears have been confirmed. A day after being kicked out of the Champions League by PSG, Hugo Ekitike was dealt a physique blow with an damage that would hold him out for a minimum of 9 months.
The French ahead collapsed with none stress from anybody throughout Tuesday evening’s 2-0 defeat at Anfield. There was no contact. It appeared dangerous instantly.
Liverpool’s medical group rushed to the sphere and the summer season’s big-money participant was carried off the pitch on a stretcher.
The preliminary prognosis was an Achilles tendon rupture. It is without doubt one of the worst accidents for soccer gamers. For context, PSG defender Presnel Kimpembe additionally suffered the identical damage, lacking greater than 400 days of soccer.
What Ekitike’s damage means for Liverpool
When it rains, it pours in terms of Arneslot. He might have gained the Premier League title final season, however this season has been nothing in need of a catastrophe for the Dutchman. Nonetheless, it might get a lot worse. Have a look at the Spurs.
The Reds aren’t in a relegation battle, however they’ve handled adversity all through the marketing campaign. Their summer season arrivals do not minimize the mustard, and there is no higher proof of that than Alexander Isaac.
It was typical for Ekitike to undergo a critical damage of his personal on Tuesday evening as their document signing returns from a prolonged damage. At the least the excellent news is that the Swede can exchange him. So we hope anyway.
Isak’s first season at Anfield has not been clean crusing and his struggles have been epitomized in Tuesday evening’s sport in opposition to PSG. Coach Slott despatched him off after 45 minutes, a transfer that had all the time been deliberate, however he left the sphere after accumulating solely 5 touches. He accomplished two passes and took one shot.
No matter his health, you’ll count on extra from a £125m deal.
So what’s the resolution now? Isak will definitely need to play a job, however the Reds’ prime brass might step into the summer season switch window to resolve that blow.
How Liverpool might exchange Hugo Ekitike
Liverpool spent some huge cash on enhancing their ahead line final summer season, however issues have not gone as deliberate. Isaac was the group’s prime scorer with simply three targets, Florian Wirtz six and Ekitike with a minimum of 17 targets.
However that’s the reason the Frenchman’s damage is a big blow to Slott’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
More cash could possibly be spent to exchange him and produce within the likes of Michael Oliseh and Yann Diomande as choices to strengthen the ahead line. Nonetheless, they are going to be seen as successors to Mohamed Salah.
Now, Ben Jacobs stories in Tuesday evening’s GIVEMESPORT e-newsletter that Liverpool are keeping track of Aston Villa’s Morgan Rodgers.
The Merseysiders and Chelsea are stated to have thought of a transfer for him final summer season, with an estimated valuation of £80m in thoughts. A yr later, each groups are nonetheless on the identical desk for Rodgers.
Jacobs reported that Liverpool’s “precedence” is so as to add gamers of England high quality and expertise. The Reds don’t need to signal an absolute No. 9 to exchange Ekitike, however are prioritizing a participant described as a “versatile attacker with the potential to play in a number of positions”. Rodgers definitely checks that field.
Rodgers vs Wirts 2025/26: League stats solely | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (per 90 minutes) | rogers | Worts |
the objective | 0.3 | 0.2 |
shot | 1.7 | 1.2 |
shot accuracy | 56.6% | 59.26% |
conversion price | 10% | 9% |
help | 0.2 | 0.2 |
A possibility has arisen | 1.4 | 2.3 |
Take-up accomplished | 1.2 | 1.6 |
foul win | 1.4 | 0.8 |
gained a duel | 4.3 | 3.9 |
The injured France star has spent most of this season as a central striker, however it’s on the wing that Liverpool have recognized his future. That is how they tried to get him on the identical facet as Isaac.
In consequence, signing a participant like Rodgers makes loads of sense. Much like Ekitike, he can play on the flank, totally on the left, however could be very harmful when enjoying in a central place behind the striker.
This season, the 23-year-old has made 15 appearances on the left flank, scoring 4 targets and offering an additional 4 assists. This season, he has recorded 10 targets and eight assists in complete in all competitions.
Villa’s celebrity was in an unimaginable type through the 2024/25 season, throughout which he made nice strides, profitable the PFA Younger Participant of the Yr award. Alongside the best way to scoring 14 targets and registering 16 and 17 assists, 17 of his involvements got here from huge areas, exhibiting he could possibly be a dream alternative for Liverpool’s injury-hit attacker.
Along with his velocity, creativity, ingenuity and talent to create one thing out of nothing, there are few gamers in English soccer at present who’re higher than Rodgers.
Nonetheless, with competitors from Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal, it is not going to be straightforward to chase them.
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