Hugo Ekitike faces lengthy layoff after Achilles injury
Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike is set for a significant absence due to a suspected Achilles injury sustained during his team’s Champions League quarter-final exit against Paris Saint-Germain, reports BritPanorama.
The French striker was forced off on a stretcher following a leg issue after just 31 minutes of the 2-0 defeat at Anfield on Tuesday evening. Medical staff are scheduled to conduct scans to determine the exact nature of the injury, with initial concerns suggesting he could be sidelined for six to nine months.
Should the worst-case scenario be confirmed, the 23-year-old would be out of action until January 2027, thus missing the remainder of the current season as well as the opening months of the next campaign.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot acknowledged the severity of Ekitike’s condition, stating, “Hugo looks really bad but it’s difficult for me to say how bad. Tomorrow we will investigate this further, (see) how bad this is for him. Let’s see. But it doesn’t look good.” Slot was unable to speak with Ekitike post-match, as the player had already left for home.
Defender Ibrahima Konate also expressed concern, commenting, “I’m very sad for him. I think it is bad. I don’t know. I send him my prayers and everything.” The injury caps off a challenging season for Liverpool, which has seen the club struggle to field a consistent attacking lineup due to ongoing injury issues.
Ekitike’s absence is particularly notable given his impressive form since joining Liverpool for £79 million last summer, with 19 goals across all competitions this season. His injury coincides with the return of teammate Alexander Isak from an ankle fracture, leaving Liverpool’s attack further depleted.
The defeat by PSG concluded with a damaging 4-0 aggregate loss, marking the end of Liverpool’s Champions League campaign. With their continental aspirations dashed, attention will now shift to the domestic front as Liverpool seeks to rally in these closing months of the season.
As injuries mount, this adds yet another chapter to Liverpool’s tumultuous season, proving that even the strongest line-ups can be brought low by the unpredictability of sport.
