Hugo Ekitike's serious injury in the defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals not only disrupted the current campaign, but also threatened Liverpool's long-term plan.
Bad luck continues to haunt The Kop when the main striker is forced to leave the field on a stretcher due to a broken Achilles tendon - an injury that could cause him to be out of action for at least 9 months. This not only affects Liverpool but also makes the opportunity to participate in the 2026 World Cup with the French national team for the 23-year-old striker almost disappear.
Notably, the French striker fell without collision, making the situation particularly serious. Ekitike immediately hugged his heel and was taken care of by the medical team before leaving the field on a stretcher.
Immediately after the match, coach Arne Slot admitted his concern: "Everyone can see that the situation is not okay at all. We have to wait for the official conclusion, but it is clearly a very bad sign.
Ekitike was once a rare bright spot since joining Eintracht Frankfurt for a fee of 69 million pounds. But now, the void he left behind has become a big problem for Slot.
In that context, all eyes are on Alexander Isak - a £125 million contract brought in from Newcastle United. However, the Swedish striker's season was interrupted by injuries and unstable form.
Isak has only played 859 minutes in all competitions, scoring only 3 goals - a number too modest compared to expectations, especially when last season he scored 27 goals and was in the PFA Team of the Year.
Slot once affirmed that fans need to be patient to see "the best version of Isak". However, with Ekitike injured and the goal of winning a Champions League ticket threatened, the waiting time seems to be over.
In the PSG rematch, Slot risked putting Isak in the starting lineup with Ekitike to find an equalizer. However, this gamble was not effective when Isak only had 5 touches in the first half before being substituted out.
The lack of understanding between Isak and Ekitike is easily noticeable. Up to now, this duo and newcomer Florian Wirtz have only played together for a mere 115 minutes - too little to create cohesion.
However, there were still positive signs. Isak almost scored from a header after Dominik Szoboszlai's free kick and had another dangerous breakthrough, despite being offside. These moments showed explosive potential as he regained his best ball feeling.
Speaking after the match, Slot still defended his student: "He was very close to scoring twice. That's why you need a world-class striker like Isak. If I thought he wasn't ready, I wouldn't have let him play.
The rest of the season will be decisive for Liverpool. They still have to face a series of difficult matches against Manchester United, Chelsea and Aston Villa in the top 5 Premier League race.
The upcoming Merseyside derby with Everton could become a turning point - not only for Liverpool but also for Isak himself. In the context that Mohamed Salah is likely to leave Anfield in the summer, the leading role in attack is gradually being transferred.
With a dense playing time ahead, Isak is facing an opportunity and also pressure to prove his worth.
