Daniel Sturridge 'devastated' as Hugo Ekitike injury leaves World Cup in doubt
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Hugo Ekitike was stretchered off as Liverpool was eliminated from the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain, and Daniel Sturridge was "devastated" for the French strikerDaniel Sturridge was devastated for Hugo Ekitike after he suffered an injury(Image: Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge was "devastated" after Hugo Ekitike was stretchered off in the first half of Tuesday's Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain.Liverpool hosted PSG on Tuesday with a 2-0 deficit in the tie, and head coach Arne Slot named a bold starting lineup with Ekitike and Alexander Isak both in the team. During Amazon's broadcast of the game, Sturridge said he was praying for the French striker with the World Cup just weeks away.READ MORE: Mark Clattenburg 'does not understand' controversial Liverpool-PSG VAR decisionREAD MORE: Hugo Ekitike stretchered off as Liverpool star injured without contactEkitike appeared to have injured his right ankle after slipping in the 27th minute and stayed down, but he was also seen clutching his Achilles.
Sturridge, who suffered several injury setbacks during his career, felt awful for Ekitike."I am honestly so devastated for him," Sturridge said. For Ekitike personally, the severity of the injury could hinder his World Cup hopes.Ekitike has recently forced his way into the France national team, and with 16 goals in all competitions for Liverpool this season, his selection has been deserved.
Ekitike will now face an anxious wait to see how serious his ankle injury is.Ousmane Dembele scored twice at Anfield to end Liverpool's hopes of a Champions League comeback(Image: 2026 UEFA)The Liverpool forward scored in France's 2-1 win against Brazil last month, which was held in Boston at one of the venues for the FIFA World Cup. Ekitike wasn't the only World Cup contender to be forced off due to injury.PSG defender Nuno Mendes was substituted before halftime with an unknown injury.