Hugo Ekitike will miss the rest of Liverpool’s season with an Achilles injury.
The France international had to be stretchered off after pulling up during his side’s Champions League quarter-final exit against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.
Arne Slot admitted that he was fearing the worst about Ekitike’s prognosis due to it appearing ‘really bad’ in how he landed awkwardly on the turf unchallenged.
His national team head coach Didier Deschamps has now confirmed that the 23-year-old is already ruled out for the Reds’ campaign and the upcoming World Cup.
He said: “The severity of his injury will unfortunately prevent him from finishing the season with Liverpool and participating in the World Cup.
“Hugo is one of the dozen young players who have made their debuts with the national team in recent months.
“He had perfectly integrated into the group, both on the pitch and off it. This injury is a huge blow for him, of course, but also for the France team.
“His disappointment is immense. Hugo will regain his top form, I’m convinced of it. But I wanted to express all my support to him, as well as that of the entire staff.
“We know he’ll be fully behind the France team, and we’re all thinking of him very strongly.”