Liverpool fans woke up on Wednesday morning with heavy hearts because the joy that filled Anfield at the start of the season has suddenly been replaced by fear, doubt and frustration. Just a few weeks ago the whole football world was talking about how Arne Slot had come into the Premier League and continued the winning tradition that Jurgen Klopp left behind. The Reds were unbeaten, scoring goals, defending strong and looking like a team ready to challenge Manchester City and Arsenal for the title. But football is always cruel and unpredictable. In the space of just four days the dream start has started to crumble. Two painful defeats in a row have dragged Liverpool back down to reality and on top of that the team has been hit with injury problems to two of their most important players. Hugo Ekitike, the young striker who has been flying since arriving at Anfield, was forced off the pitch against Galatasaray with what looked like a hamstring injury. The sight of him holding the back of his leg sent shockwaves through the Liverpool fanbase. It was a reminder that in football success can disappear in one single moment.
The first warning came on Saturday afternoon when Liverpool travelled to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace. The Eagles have always been a tough team for Liverpool, but this time Palace snatched a last-minute winner that ended Liverpool’s perfect start to the Premier League season. Defeat is always painful, but Liverpool supporters could forgive that one because it felt like just a bad day in London. But then came Tuesday night in Istanbul, a city full of history, noise and fear for visiting teams. Galatasaray welcomed Liverpool to RAMS Park, and the Turkish champions gave Slot’s men no space, no breathing room and no comfort. In the end it was Victor Osimhen, the Nigerian striker Liverpool once dreamed of signing, who scored the only goal from the penalty spot. The 1-0 defeat was not catastrophic in terms of the Champions League group table, but it did damage Liverpool’s confidence. The most worrying part of the night wasn’t even the result but what happened in the second half.
With little over 20 minutes left to play, Hugo Ekitike suddenly pulled up while chasing a ball. At first it looked like cramp, the kind of thing that happens when players get tired late in the game. He sat down on the grass, tried to stretch, then looked towards the bench shaking his head. The medical team rushed on, and within seconds it became clear that he could not continue. As he walked off slowly, Liverpool fans feared the worst. A hamstring problem is always bad news, and when it happens to a striker in top form, it feels like a hammer blow. Ekitike had been one of the bright sparks of the season, scoring five goals in nine games and giving the attack an energy that reminded fans of the early days of Sadio Mane. Losing him now, just as the fixtures start to get tough, is the last thing Liverpool needed.
To make matters worse, Alisson Becker had already been forced off earlier in the match. The Brazilian is the best goalkeeper in the world for many, and whenever he leaves the pitch, Liverpool feel naked at the back. For Arne Slot to lose both his star striker and his world-class goalkeeper in one night felt like the cruelest twist of fate. The camera zoomed on Slot’s face and you could see the pain and worry in his eyes. He knew that the coming weeks could define the season, and he knew that without Ekitike and possibly without Alisson, the challenge would be enormous.
In the hours after the game, attention turned to social media where Physio Scout, a respected injury analyst, gave his early verdict on the situation. He explained that the way Ekitike overstretched for the ball suggested a stretch-type hamstring mechanism. According to him, these kinds of injuries often end up being more serious than simple cramps. Even though the player himself told reporters that it “felt like cramp,” experts know that scans usually reveal more. Physio Scout suggested that even a minor grade one or grade two strain could keep Ekitike out for at least two weeks. That might not sound like a long time, but when you look at Liverpool’s upcoming fixture list, even two weeks is a nightmare.
Liverpool face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, a clash that always carries weight and pressure. After that comes the big one at Anfield: Manchester United, the old enemy, the eternal rival. Then only days later the Reds must travel to Germany to face Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League, a game they now cannot afford to lose after slipping in Istanbul. Then comes Brentford, a team that always troubles Liverpool with their physical style, followed by Aston Villa at Anfield, another team in form under Unai Emery. And then, hanging in the distance like a storm cloud, are the two giants: Real Madrid and Manchester City. If Ekitike is out longer than expected, he could miss both those games, and that would be catastrophic.
The French striker has quickly become a fan favourite. At just 23 years old, he came to Liverpool with questions over his consistency, but he has silenced critics by scoring freely and playing with confidence. His partnership with Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz had given Liverpool a new attacking edge. Even though Alexander Isak arrived in a record-breaking transfer from Newcastle, it was Ekitike who had been the main man. Slot trusted him, teammates looked for him, and fans sang his name. To lose him now feels unfair.
The only silver lining is that Isak now has the perfect chance to show why Liverpool paid so much money for him. The Swedish striker didn’t have much of a pre-season because of his move, and he has been slowly getting back to full sharpness. Now, with Ekitike injured, Isak has no choice but to step up and lead the line. Liverpool supporters are excited by his talent, but they also know that he is still finding his rhythm. If he explodes into form, Liverpool may survive this crisis. If he struggles, then the pressure on Slot will grow.
The story of Ekitike’s injury is more than just about missing a player. It is about timing, momentum and psychology. Football is not just about talent, it is about rhythm and belief. Right now, Liverpool’s rhythm has been broken. Two defeats have dented belief, and injuries have shaken confidence. When Ekitike limped off in Istanbul, you could feel the mood of the team drop instantly. It reminded fans of last season when injuries to key players derailed Klopp’s plans. Slot had promised a fresh start, but now he faces the same old problem that every Liverpool manager knows too well: how to cope when stars are missing.
For Liverpool fans, this moment feels like standing at a crossroads. On one road lies resilience, recovery and determination. On the other road lies panic, dropped points and lost momentum. Which road Slot and his players choose will decide how this season is remembered. The supporters will look at Isak, Salah, Diaz and even Darwin Nunez, asking them to step forward and carry the team until Ekitike returns. But they will also look at the medical staff, hoping that the scans bring better news than expected.
Ekitike himself will be devastated. For a young player in great form, nothing is more frustrating than being forced to watch from the sidelines. He had been living his dream, playing Champions League football for Liverpool, scoring in front of the Kop, feeling the love of the fans. To have that suddenly interrupted is cruel. He will now spend hours in the gym, with doctors, doing scans, stretching, waiting. For a footballer, those weeks feel like years. But if there is one thing Liverpool fans know, it is that their players return stronger. They will hope Ekitike uses this time to recover fully and come back hungrier than ever.
As the days pass, news will come from Melwood about the scans. Until then, Liverpool fans are left to imagine the worst or hope for the best. Will he be back for the Manchester United game? Will he miss Real Madrid? Could he even miss Manchester City? These are the questions being whispered in pubs, on podcasts, on social media. Everyone knows that one player cannot define a whole team, but everyone also knows that losing an in-form striker at a crucial point can change everything.
For now, all eyes turn to Stamford Bridge. Chelsea await, smelling blood, knowing that Liverpool are wounded. Slot must rally his troops, find solutions, and pray that Isak rises to the occasion. Ekitike’s absence could either become the story of Liverpool’s collapse or the beginning of a tale of resilience. The next few weeks will write that story. And as always in football, the drama never ends.
