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Arne Slot confirmed that Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike has yet to undergo surgery on his Achilles -Credit:Michael Steele/Getty Images
Arne Slot has confirmed Hugo Ekitike is yet to undergo surgery and has backed the striker to return in even better form. Ekitike was stretchered off after sustaining a severe Achilles injury during the 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
Following his departure on a stretcher, Liverpool confirmed on Thursday that scans have revealed the forward has suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon. The 23-year-old will miss the remainder of the campaign and will also be absent from France's FIFA World Cup squad this summer.
When pressed for an update on the striker on Friday, Slot said, via the Liverpool Echo: "He hasn't been operated on yet. Devastating for him coming to a new club and having so much impact straight away.
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Slot said defender Joe Gomez won't be available for the upcoming Merseyside derby -Credit:Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
"Playing against your former club in the Champions League quarter-final with so much to come for him in the summer. First thoughts are with him being out for such along time, missing out on so many special moments.
"Not the first and not the last player who experienced something like this at the start of their career, and so many examples of players coming back even stronger. 100% he will be one of those who say maybe this injury makes me even stronger and more ready to play at an even higher level."
Ekitike joins a mounting Liverpool injury list that already includes Alisson Becker, Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley, and Wataru Endo.
Slot has also confirmed that his side will be without Joe Gomez for Sunday's Merseyside derby against Everton, while the Reds boss further revealed that Alexander Isak is still not ready to complete a full 90 minutes.
Slot took the bold decision to hand Isak his first start since December against PSG following his ankle injury, but admitted before the game that the striker was only fit enough to play for one half.
When pressed on the forward on Friday, Slot said: "It's a good thing we signed two number nines.
"Lot of people were debating why we signed two, now it looks like a good (idea), now people are saying we should sign another in the summer.
"Someone said to me the day after that you cannot write the script that on the day Alex is back on first start the other leaves pitch with a long-term injury.
"Even more a good thing that Alex is back but wouldn't be the first time I didn't have someone available in a certain position, such as right-back. Alex, we know, is not ready to play 90 yet."
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