Slot considers Hugo Ekitike’s injury in Liverpool’s summer plans

Arne Slot admits Hugo Ekitike’s serious Achilles injury will play a part in how Liverpool shape their transfer business this summer, even if it is only one of several factors on the table.

“I think you always take into account which players you are having available for large parts of next season and then you think ‘what’s there on the market, what can we afford, who wants to come to us?’” the Liverpool head coach explained, stressing how carefully the club plan each move.

He noted it is “not as simple as people think it is… ‘oh there is a good player walking around, let’s sign him’” because the squad has to make sense both now and in the future.

Slot underlined that Liverpool are “very focused on the long-term” and try to balance immediate needs with building a sustainable team. Ekitike’s absence and the overall shape of the squad will feed into those decisions, but for now Slot insists the priority is the “upcoming six games,” knowing how they finish the season could also influence what happens in the market.

Ekitike is expected to miss most of the year, leaving Alexander Isak as the only fully fit senior striker still working his way back after his own layoff.