Liverpool set for new transfer problem as Hugo Ekitike injury complicates summer plans

Liverpool chiefs will be looking anxiously at the summer transfer window as an opportunity to rebuild the squad, but with a long-term injury emerging for Hugo Ekitike, priorities may have to shift once again.

Hugo Ekitike's injury issue could leave Liverpool in a tricky situation in the summer transfer window(Image: (Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images))

Liverpool star Hugo Ekitike is facing a long spell out through injury, as reports suggest that the striker could be out for nine months with an Achilles tendon problem.

The 23-year-old had to be stretchered off in the Reds' defeat to PSG on Tuesday, clutching his right foot in pain around the 30-minute mark without a challenge made. Arne Slot admitted the injury 'looks really bad' when speaking after the Champions League exit on Tuesday, with the striker now facing an extended period on the sidelines.

Ekitike's possible nine-month injury layoff comes as a blow to a player who has shown plenty of quality during his first season at Liverpool, with frustration that he won't be able to impact the rest of the campaign, while the issue carries over into the next.

That also creates an issue for the hierarchy, who may need to redraft their summer transfer plans, which will be finalized over the next few weeks to form the basis for a squad rebuild.

Given that the club spent a combined $264million on the strike partnership of Ekitike and Alexander Isak, it's a worst-case scenario now for the board that the Reds may need to enter the market once again to find another striker option.

They will be cursing their luck, to some extent, that the pair have rarely been fit and firing at the same time, which would've been the ideal scenario envisioned when signing the duo.

Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike have struggled as a partnership for Liverpool this season(Image: (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images))

Isak missed much of the first quarter of the season through a lack of pre-season preparation, which helped him force the move to Anfield, taking time for him to get up to speed.

Then, just when it looked as though he was going to be in and amongst the goals, the Swedish international suffered a fracture in his leg, leaving him out for an extended period of time.

With the time out for Ekitike, combined with how injury prone Isak can be, Liverpool may be forced to bolster at striker in the summer, when the club's priority ought to be elsewhere.

While centre-back could look secured with a potential new contract for Ibrahima Konate, combined with the arrival of Jeremy Jacquet and a return for Giovanni Leoni from injury, either full-back position could be strengthened with fresh options once again.

The midfield remains a clear point of interest, with the need for a number six who can break up play while being able to distribute the ball from the backline into the forward areas.

Then there's the forward ranks, which will be impacted by an exit for Mohamed Salah, as well as a general need to improve on the right and the left.

Throwing the Ekitike injury into the mix only adds to the balancing nightmare that the hierarchy may have in the summer window, in what is turning out to be a complicated rebuild.