Arne Slot: Liverpool boss jokes they look 'smart' for signing two No 9s after Hugo Ekitike injury

Liverpool now look “smart” for signing two centre-forwards this summer, according to Arne Slot, who has backed Hugo Ekitike to come back stronger than ever after his “devastating” injury.

The Liverpool striker will miss the rest of this season and the World Cup with France, and could also be forced to sit out a substantial portion of the next campaign after rupturing his right Achilles tendon during Tuesday’s Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain.

The timing of Ekitike’s injury is unfortunate for Slot, with Alexander Isak only just returning from his own long-term lay-off.

The summer signing started his first match since December in Tuesday’s 2-0 loss but struggled to impact the game and was substituted at half-time.

Slot said: “It’s devastating for him [Ekitike] coming to a new club and having an impact.

“My first thoughts are with him being out for such a long time and missing out on special moments. He’s not the first or last to experience this. There are so many examples of players that came back even stronger – that’s his challenge. He could be one of those in 10-15 years time that will say the injury made him stronger and to perform at an even higher level than before.”

Slot added: “First of all, it is a good thing we have signed two No 9s, because there were a lot of people who were debating why we did.

“We thought maybe it’s a smart idea not to be the only club in the world that has only one No 9. Now people are maybe questioning if we should sign another No 9.

“Someone said to me the day after [PSG], you cannot write the script that, on the day Alex is back after four months, the other one leaves the pitch with a long-term injury. It is a good thing Alex is back now even more, but we also know he is not ready to play 90 [minutes] yet.”

Slot: The future is bright

Liverpool’s sole focus is on securing Champions League football, starting with Sunday’s crunch Merseyside derby with Everton, live on Sky Sports.

Slot believes Tuesday’s performance against PSG points to a positive future despite the 2-0 defeat

“We were able to have more ball possession, to generate 21 shots, to have a high xG against a team that is used to the fact they dominate ball possession,” he said.

“Even if you take into account that Hugo had to go off after 30 minutes, Alex had to go off at half-time. If you would see them playing over 90 minutes in their best shape, then this team has already shown, as they did in so many other moments, that they can compete with the best teams in Europe.

“That tells you this is already a very strong team but it takes some changes with Robbo [Andy Robertson] and Mo [Salah] leaving – but the future looks bright for us.

“We are a trading club so let’s first see what’s actually going to happen in the summer.”

‘No slip-ups now for Liverpool in run-in’

Analysis from Liverpool’s press conference from Sky Sports News reporter Vinny O’Connor:

“Devastating for him,” was how Arne Slot summed up the news that Hugo Ekitike has ruptured his right achilles tendon.

Along with confirmation that Liverpool’s top goalscorer across all competitions is still to be operated on, there was a prediction that he will come back stronger and even more ready to perform at the highest level. Something Liverpool as a whole have only managed in fits and starts this season.

Again there was a reiteration from Slot that the future is bright. There will be changes in the summer, not least because Mo Salah and Andy Robertson are confirmed departures, and, without talking numbers, Slot spoke about the decisions they are facing as to how to go about that. Kostas Tsimikas is due back from his loan, for instance, and has a year left on his contract, while in looking to replace Salah do they go like for like or look at something different?

It was part tongue in cheek but, given the debate over whether Liverpool were right to sign two No 9s last summer, there was an acknowledgment that already the question is being asked if they need to bring in another striker.

Shorter term what Slot does need to deliver is Champions League football next season.

In that respect the win over Fulham has given Liverpool some breathing space before the first Merseyside derby at Hill Dickinson.

Last season he faced an Everton side desperate not to lose the last derby at Goodison and there’s a similarity in motivation with this being Liverpool’s first visit to their new home.

For Slot, however, the bottom line is that things can change quickly in football and a slip up this weekend builds pressure yet again in the race for Champions League qualification.

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