Hugo Ekitike Injury Blow for Liverpool in Champions League Clash vs PSG
- Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike was forced off on a stretcher during the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal against Paris Saint-Germain on April 14, 2026.
- The incident took place in the 27th or 28th minute of the match.
- Ekitike appeared to injure his right ankle and was seen clutching his lower right leg in considerable pain.
Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike was forced off on a stretcher during the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal against Paris Saint-Germain on April 14, 2026. The injury occurred at Anfield in the first half of the match, representing a significant blow to the club’s pursuit of Champions League qualification.
Injury Details and Match Events
The incident took place in the 27th or 28th minute of the match. Reports indicate that Ekitike went down with a non-contact injury while attempting to make a run off the ball during a Liverpool throw-in, collapsing in front of his defender.
Ekitike appeared to injure his right ankle and was seen clutching his lower right leg in considerable pain. After receiving medical treatment on the field, it was determined that he could not continue, and he was removed from the pitch via stretcher.
Mohamed Salah entered the game to replace the French international. Salah had started the match on the bench, mirroring his role in the first leg of the quarterfinal the previous week.
Impact on Liverpool and France
The injury is a major concern for Liverpool given Ekitike’s form this season. The striker has scored 19 goals for both club and country, establishing himself as one of the team’s top performers.
Beyond the club level, the injury poses a risk to the French national team ahead of the World Cup scheduled for later in 2026. Ekitike recently contributed to France’s efforts, scoring in a 2-1 victory against Brazil last month.
Squad Context and Other Developments
Liverpool manager Arne Slot had already made tactical adjustments to the lineup for the match. Slot elected to start Alexander Isak for the first time since Isak suffered a broken leg in December. Prior to the game, Slot stated that Isak would only be capable of playing 45 minutes.
The match also saw an injury to PSG’s Nuno Mendes. Mendes left the field shortly before halftime due to an unspecified issue, though unlike Ekitike, he was able to leave the pitch unaided.
Further updates on the severity of Ekitike’s injury are expected following post-match comments from Arne Slot.