Paris Saint-Germain striker Hugo Ekitike was stretchered off during the first half of the Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Liverpool at Anfield. The French international sustained what appeared to be a right ankle injury following a slip in the 27th minute. Medics quickly assessed the damage, determining he could not continue the high-stakes European fixture.

Ekitike's forced substitution brought on Mohamed Salah, who returned to Arne Slot’s starting XI after beginning the first leg on the bench. The forward has been a key contributor this season, bagging 19 goals across club and international duty, including a recent strike for France against Brazil. The severity of this ankle problem raises immediate alarms for the upcoming World Cup.

This premature exit represents a dual blow. Not only does it jeopardize Ekitike’s immediate international prospects, but it also hampers Liverpool’s domestic push for Champions League qualification next season. PSG also faced a scare when Nuno Mendes departed just before the interval, though he managed to walk off the pitch without assistance.

Ultimately, the loss of a 19-goal forward mid-match complicated matters severely for PSG in a tight European contest. The impact on both Liverpool’s league ambitions and France’s World Cup preparations now centres on the diagnosis of Ekitike's right ankle.