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Liverpool's Champions League exit came at a steep price, as forward Hugo Ekitiké was carried off on a stretcher during the opening half of their 2–0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain.
It is believed Ekitiké has sustained a severe Achilles injury that has not only brought his current campaign to a premature end, but could keep him on the sidelines until at least the beginning of 2027.
Losing their leading goalscorer is the worst possible news for Liverpool as they fight to secure a spot in next season's Champions League. Finding a replacement for the French striker is an urgent priority, and it also presents a significant challenge heading into the summer transfer window.
Here's a look at how Liverpool might manage in Ekitiké's absence.
Short-Term Solutions
Debate has persisted throughout the season over whether Liverpool truly needed to bring in Ekitiké last summer. The Reds shelled out $106 million (£79 million) to pip Newcastle United to his signing, just weeks before splashing $170 million on Alexander Isak from the very same club.
How the two would function as a partnership was widely discussed, yet it is a dilemma Arne Slot has rarely been forced to confront. Isak's injury absences meant the duo had shared just 169 minutes on the pitch together before Ekitiké's Achilles problem cut their most recent appearance together to a mere 31 minutes.
Ekitiké had been serving as backup to Isak. Now, it falls to the Swede to lead the line for Liverpool's attack.
Adding to the complexity is Isak's ongoing recovery from his own setback. A fibula fracture in December kept him out until early April, and he has featured just three times since returning. Slot has been carefully managing the Sweden international's playing time, reassured by Ekitiké's presence to carry much of the workload. That safety net no longer exists.
Emergency striker cover has typically fallen to Dutch winger Cody Gakpo, while Italian international Federico Chiesa offered an alternative earlier in the season but has fallen increasingly out of favor as the campaign has worn on. Between them, the pair have contributed eight Premier League goals.
Summer Transfer Window
With Ekitiké set to miss at least the opening half of next season—even a timely recovery would require months of rebuilding match sharpness—Liverpool may look to strengthen their attacking options once the summer window swings open.
As things stand, Isak is the only out-and-out striker at Slot's disposal. When available, he is certain to be the first-choice next season as he looks to justify his standing as the most expensive player in Premier League history. His 23-goal haul in his final campaign at Newcastle suggests he is more than capable of delivering.
That said, even if Isak remains injury-free throughout the season, backup will still be required. Gakpo and Chiesa remain potential alternatives, though neither has been particularly convincing, and both face uncertain futures at Anfield. Liverpool may therefore pursue a more reliable, specialist striker.
Having invested so heavily last summer—especially on attacking players—Liverpool are unlikely to splash out again this time around. Isak and Ekitiké represent the club's long-term striking vision, but a short-term solution to cover for the Frenchman's absence would be a sensible addition.
Liverpool are expected to explore the budget end of the market, with free transfers or loan deals the most probable routes to plugging the gap.
On the free transfer front, Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski is the most prominent name available, though whether he would be content sharing minutes with Isak remains questionable. A similar dilemma applies to Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović.
Fulham's Raúl Jiménez may lack star appeal, but his nine Premier League goals this season speak for themselves. With his 35th birthday approaching, he would likely be realistic about the temporary nature of any potential move.
Experienced players at that stage of their careers, who accept their secondary role behind Isak, are likely to be on Liverpool's radar as they wait for Ekitiké to return in 2027.