Liverpool deprived of their striker for several weeks | OneFootball

Liverpool lose their striker for at least two weeks!

Liverpool deprived of their striker for several weeks

Hugo Ekitike is undoubtedly going through a rough patch. Starting on Tuesday night against Galatasaray in the Champions League, the Liverpool striker was forced off in the 68th minute, visibly clutching his right thigh. The 22-year-old reportedly told his manager, Arne Slot, that he simply couldn't continue. This premature exit, which occurred during the Reds' first European defeat of the season (1-0), comes just two days before Didier Deschamps announces his squad for the next France national team camp. The timing couldn't be worse, and it could jeopardize his selection hopes.

A worrying injury, further tests to come

According to initial reports, Ekitike is suffering from a lesion of the right popliteal ligament, a rare but troublesome injury for a forward. The severity will determine his time on the sidelines: two to four weeks for a mild sprain, but up to three months or even longer if the ligament is severely damaged. For now, Liverpool's medical team has yet to make a final diagnosis, and further tests are scheduled in the coming days.

Arne Slot, already under pressure after back-to-back defeats, could be without one of his key attacking assets for an extended period. As for Didier Deschamps, he'll likely have to look elsewhere to bolster his attacking options. The outcome of the medical tests will be crucial, but one thing is clear: this injury couldn't have come at a worse time for a player hoping to finally secure his place in the national team.