Liverpool news as Hugo Ekitike injury impacts summer plans and challenge awaits

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Liverpool was knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, with Hugo Ekitike suffering a suspected Achilles injury that could have major transfer implicationsHugo Ekitike suffered an injury on Tuesday(Image: Getty Images)Liverpool's torrid campaign continues its downward spiral with Hugo Ekitike becoming the latest casualty of a dismal season.The Reds were eliminated from the Champions League on Tuesday following their 2-0 home defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, completing a 4-0 aggregate loss. To compound matters, the French forward was carried off on a stretcher during the second half with a suspected Achilles injury, potentially bringing his maiden Merseyside season to a premature conclusion.Liverpool supporters aren't alone in looking toward the summer transfer window, with Arne Slot having already addressed the club's potential activity.

Here, Liverpool.com examines how Ekitike's injury could influence Liverpool's transfer strategy, as well as the summer challenge Slot's players will face as they prepare to move forward without Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson.READ MORE: Luis Enrique makes feelings clear after Liverpool made PSG 'suffer a lot'READ MORE: Former Liverpool midfielder suddenly retires after getting offer to be manager insteadEkitike injury implicationAccording to The Athletic, Ekitike faces several months on the sidelines after sustaining the injury during the PSG match.The publication reports that sources have indicated the France international has suffered a suspected Achilles rupture, which is expected to rule him out of the World Cup.Beyond missing his maiden opportunity to represent his nation at a major tournament, the severity of the injury means the 23-year-old would also be unavailable for the opening months of next season.Arne Slot suffered a brutal night on Tuesday(Image: Getty Images)Should that prove to be the case, the report suggests, it could have significant consequences for Liverpool's transfer activity.Considering that Salah is expected to leave the club with Federico Chiesa also likely to follow, the Reds could head into the 2026-27 season with a forward line comprising only Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha, which may well force their hand in the summer window.Slot admits challengeSlot acknowledged, following the PSG defeat, that the departures of Salah and Robertson on free transfers have compounded the challenge he faces in returning the club to competing for and lifting titles.He told Prime Video: "Now we are losing Mo and Andy Robertson on a free transfer as we lost Trent [Alexander-Arnold] and this model of the club means we need to sell, usually, to buy."So it's a big challenge. It was already last season.

It's going to be a challenge in the summer again."Slot added: "This club has also shown many times that this model works and we can be very successful with his model."Tuesday's defeat confirmed that the Dutchman's second season at Anfield will conclude without silverware, yet he struck an optimistic note about his side's prospects.He continued: "I think we have signed very good and talented players. That most of them go into their second season in the Premier League.