Arne Slot has backed Hugo Ekitike to return a stronger player after the "devastating" Achilles injury that has ruled him out long term.The Liverpool striker will miss the rest of this season and the World Cup with France, and could also be forced to sit out a substantial portion of the next campaign after rupturing his right Achilles tendon during Tuesday's Champions League loss to Paris St Germain.

Arne Slot has backed Hugo Ekitike to return a stronger player after the "devastating" Achilles injury that has ruled him out long term.The Liverpool striker will miss the rest of this season and the World Cup with France, and could also be forced to sit out a substantial portion of the next campaign after rupturing his right Achilles tendon during Tuesday's Champions League loss to Paris St Germain.