Liverpool have been told they must enter the transfer market for a new striker following a serious injury to Hugo Ekitike. The France international suffered a ruptured Achilles during the Reds' Champions League quarter-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night.
Ekitike, who joined Liverpool from Rennes last summer for up to £79 million, scored 17 goals in his debut season. He now faces six to nine months out and has been ruled out of this summer's World Cup by France boss Didier Deschamps.
The injury leaves Alexander Isak as Liverpool's only fit recognised centre forward. The Sweden international recently returned from a four-month absence due to a fractured fibula and ankle injury.
Former Newcastle and Blackburn striker Alan Shearer said: 'Ekitike will be a huge miss for Liverpool. Him and Szoboszlai have probably been the best two players for Liverpool this season.' He added: 'I think they're going to have to go into the transfer market now looking for a striker.'
Shearer also noted that Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah are leaving the club, compounding the need for reinforcements. 'Who they go for I don't know, and how much they can spend we don't know, but Liverpool will have to go again,' he said.
Shearer criticised Liverpool's season overall, saying injuries were not the sole reason for their poor form. 'Their two big hitters in Van Dijk and Salah haven't been anywhere near the standard we've seen in the past,' he added.
