Liverpool news: Hugo Ekitike sent warning as £60m replacement eyed

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While Liverpool's focus is on securing Champions League football next season, another huge matter is demanding the club's attention. Mohamed Salah stunned Anfield and the wider footballing world when he announced his intentions to leave the club this summer.

It's true that qualifying for the next season's European Club is paramount for Arne Slot and the Reds, with Saturday's game against Crystal Palace significant to say the least. But just who to bring in to fill Salah's boots is almost just as vital.

The Egyptian has scored 191 goals for the club since arriving in 2017, leading them to two Premier League titles in 2020 and 2025 as well as the Champions League in 2019. Today's Liverpool news sees one target reportedly eyed to succeed Salah. Elsewhere, Reds star Hugo Ekitike has been hit with a grave warning following his devastating injury setback.

Reds star Ekitike has been told he will face some "dark" moments in his quest to return after rupturing his Achilles tendon. However, former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison has also said that the Frenchman could make a comeback sooner rather than later.

Ekitike underwent surgery earlier this month with around nine months usually required to fully recover from the devastating injury.

Morrison exclusively told Freebets.com: "Just stay strong. Stay positive. Have good people around you. And in this day and age with all the medical technology available, it could be six or seven months.

"He's young — you heal quicker when you're young. But yeah, there'll be dark places. Watching the World Cup will hurt him. And when pre-season starts and all your teammates are in it and you're not — that's the hard one.

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"But he's had a very good season overall, he's still young, he's a top player, and he will bounce back. The people at Liverpool, his family, his friends — they'll all get behind him. There is light at the end of the tunnel."

Ekitike has taken to social media in the wake of suffering the major injury and also undergoing surgery, writing on Instagram : "It's hard, maybe even unfair. But I'm grateful this is happening to me here, among you. I'm not alone. Your strength and your love will be my driving force. See you again soon, Anfield."

AC Milan star Rafael Leao is said to be attracting interest from Liverpool. The winger is also thought to be wanted by Manchester United , Manchester City and Real Madrid .

Leao has scored 10 goals in Serie A but has been left frustrated as Milan look set to miss out on the league title to city rivals Inter. The 26-year-old is also expected to play a pivotal role for Portugal at this summer's World Cup.

The Daily Mail reports Milan are open to offers as they look to balance the books. The club are rumoured to want around £60million for the player, who has two years left on contract.

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Last summer, Italian publication Tutto Mercato Web claimed that Leao was the subject of an inquiry from Liverpool. The winger has already given Arne Slot a green light over a move to the UK.

Via Gazzetta dello Sport in 2023, he said: "I think every player wants to play in the Premier League because it’s a very competitive league.

"It has engaging football, great teams and a worldwide audience. Serie A is currently very well positioned in the football world but I would definitely have to say the Premier League in the future."

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