Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike has suffered a suspected Achilles injury and there are fears he could be out for at least six months.
Sky Sports News understands the player is set for scans to determine the full extent of the injury, which is not yet known.
The worst-case scenario is an absence as long as nine months – but it will take more analysis to determine a timeline for his recovery.
Ekitike came off with a serious leg problem after 31 minutes of the 2-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield – which confirmed a 4-0 aggregate quarter-final defeat to the reigning European champions.
Ekitike picked up the injury just as Alexander Isak returned from his serious leg injury, with the British record transfer making his first start since fracturing his ankle in December.
Liverpool did not comment when contacted by Sky Sports News.
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Liverpool boss Arne Slot provide an update on Hugo Ekitike’s injury after he was stretchered off during their Champions League match against PSG.
Speaking after the defeat to PSG, Slot gave an initial assessment of Ekitike’s injury. “Hugo looks really bad but it’s difficult for me to say how bad,” he said.
“Tomorrow we will investigate this further, (see) how bad this is for him. Let’s see. But it doesn’t look good. I didn’t see him at half-time and after the game he had already gone home so I haven’t spoken to him yet.”
Ekitike’s teammate, Ibrahima Konate, echoed those fears, as he added: “I’m very sad for him. I think it is bad. I don’t know. I send him my prayers and everything.”
Ekitike has scored 19 goals for Liverpool and France this season after signing from Eintracht Frankfurt for £79m last summer.
Hugo Ekitike is out for the season with an Achilles injury
‘Terrible blow for Ekitike and Liverpool’
Sky Sports’ Vinny O’Connor: “It looked to be a serious one. He tried to get back to his feet and couldn’t. Ekitike is undergoing scans to determine the full extent of the problem.
“Arne Slot confirmed that he felt it was a serious one. If it is a rupture, then that is a recovery time of six to nine months. That rules him out of the rest of the season, the World Cup and the start of the next season.
“A terrible blow for him and a terrible blow for Liverpool.”
Liverpool’s remaining matches
April 19: Everton (A), live on Sky Sports, kick-off 2pm
April 25: Crystal Palace (H), kick-off 3pm
May 3: Manchester United (A), live on Sky Sports, kick-off 3.30pm
May 9: Chelsea (H), kick-off 12.30pm
May 17: Aston Villa (A), kick-off TBD
May 24: Brentford (H), kick-off 4pm
