Arne Slot issued a worrying update on Hugo Ekitike and sent a message to the Liverpool owners following Tuesday night's Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. The Reds were left with it all to do after last week's 2-0 defeat in the French capital, but their hopes of a comeback were dealt an early blow when Ekitike was stretchered off just 30 minutes into the contest.

The attacker looked in considerable pain while the medical team were seeing to him, with Slot admitting the early signs were 'not good'. While Liverpool can no longer win silverware this season, they are embroiled in a battle to finish inside the qualification spots for next year's Champions League.

They'll likely have to do it without the services of Ekitike, with Slot telling Amazon Prime post-match: "Not too good. We could all see it didn't look good. Let's wait and see what it will be. In the second half he went home and I haven't seen him yet.

"As it seems to be, losing a player is something we have had many times this season but it is especially hard for him because you never want to be injured, especially at this time of the season."

Meanwhile, later on in his debrief, Slot appeared to send a pointed message towards the Liverpool owners. It came when asked if he believes the current crop of Liverpool stars could match that of the generation before him, with the Dutchman referencing the club's transfer strategy.

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He said: "Much has been said that the club is in a transition. The club has sold 8-10 players to make money to sign five or so very talented players.

"We have to sell to buy. We are losing some players on a free transfer. It is a big challenge in the summer but the club has shown this model works. As I said many times the future looks very good, especially if we can sign players after good players leaving this summer."

The second half hinged on a penalty decision involving Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister, who was adjudged to have been fouled inside the box, with the on-field referee pointing to the spot. After a short delay, the referee was ordered to review the decision, with the penalty eventually overturned.

On the incident, Slot said: "If you look at our season I am completely not surprised because so many decisions have gone against us. For me it is quite simple, if the referee did not give a penalty the VAR would never have intervened.

"As I said I don't think it is a surprise this season, not just the Champions League but also in the Premier League many decisions have gone against us. We couldn't score a goal, we had many chances."