Liverpool‘s hopes of overturning a two-goal deficit in their Champions League quarter-final tie with Paris Saint-Germain were dealt a massive blow as Hugo Ekitike was taken off on a stretcher in the first half.

Ekitike started up front for Liverpool alongside Alexander Isak, the Swede starting a game for the first time since December, in a surprise move by Arne Slot as Mohamed Salah was left on the bench.

But Salah was introduced on the half-hour mark amid unfortunate circumstances as Ekitike was carried from the pitch, the Frenchman having gone down off the ball.

While the nature of Ekitike’s injury was not immediately apparent, a serious injury to the former PSG forward would see him miss the remainder of Liverpool’s run-in as they look to at least salvage Champions League qualification for next season from a hugely frustrating campaign for Slot’s men.

A long-term problem could also put Ekitike’s hopes of playing at the World Cup this summer in jeopardy.

Liverpool lose their talisman

Ekitike has enjoyed a strong first season for Liverpool following his arrival from Eintracht Frankfurt.

The 23-year-old has scored 18 goals in all competitions in his first season at Anfield and provided six assists.

His injury was the main story of an absorbing first half, albeit it one relatively light on clear-cut chances.

Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili had to show his improvisational skills to deny Ousmane Dembele while running back to his own goal after cutting out a throughball to Warren Zaire-Emery. Dembele then hooked over the crossbar from close range following great work from Joao Neves.

But immediately after Ekitike’s enforced withdrawal, Liverpool went closest to taking the lead on the night as Matvey Safonov thwarted Milos Kerkez with a superb save, before an outstanding piece of defending from Marquinhos stopped Virgil van Dijk from tapping in the rebound.