2 wildcard free agents Liverpool could target after Hugo Ekitike blow

• 

• Liverpool FC News
• Features
• Liverpool FC

Hugo Ekitike suffered a serious injury that could rule him out of action until 2027, and Liverpool must now decide how it is going to deal with his absence in the months ahead

Hugo Ekitike could be sidelined until 2027(Image: 2026 Xavier Laine)

Liverpool's season went from bad to worse on Tuesday as the Reds were dumped out of the Champions League – and also lost Hugo Ekitike to a very serious injury.

Ekitike could be out of action until 2027 after going down under no challenge after 31 minutes in the first half. The Frenchman suffered a suspected Achilles rupture, ended his World Cup hopes, which is a devastating blow for the 23-year-old, as he would almost certainly have been a part of Didier Deschamps' preferred starting lineup in North America.

As for Liverpool, not only is it losing Ekitike for the remainder of the season, it is also likely to be without him for a huge chunk of next season too.

Alexander Isak is the only other genuine striker in Liverpool's squad, and although Cody Gakpo has been used through the middle by Arne Slot, he does not look like a particularly natural fit there.

A better option might be to dip into the transfer market for reinforcements.

Two high-profile strikers are set to become free agents when their contracts with their current clubs expire this summer, and could prove to be good short-term options.

It is not common for Liverpool to think in the short-term when it comes to recruitment, but Robert Lewandowski could be available for nothing at the end of the season.

The 37-year-old is one of the greatest strikers of the 21st century and remains a reliable marksman, despite his age.

Lewandowski scored over 100 goals across his first three seasons at Barcelona, and he has scored 17 in 40 appearances this term despite no longer being a guaranteed starter for the Blaugrana.

Robert Lewandowski is set to become a free agent this summer as things stand(Image: 2026 UEFA)

A much younger option could be Dusan Vlahovic, who is also set to become a free agent when his contract with Juventus expires this summer.

Vlahovic has scored 64 goals in 163 appearances for Juventus, and although the Turin club is still hopeful of extending Vlahovic's contract, an agreement over an extension does not appear to be close.

Given Ekitike will be back next season, and Liverpool already also has Isak, it would be illogical to sign someone like Vlahovic, given he will be looking for a long-term contract this summer.

A play for Lewandowski would be uncharacteristic but ambitious, and also have a galvanizing effect on the squad at a time when other leaders and formerly world-class players are set to depart.