Liverpool suffer major setback as Hugo Ekitike ruled out With Achilles rupture

Liverpool suffer major setback as Hugo Ekitike ruled out With Achilles rupture

Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike is facing up to nine months on the sidelines after rupturing his Achilles tendon during Tuesday night’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield, according to L’Equipe.

Ekitike collapsed to the turf in the 28th minute without any contact from an opponent. Unable to get back to his feet despite two attempts, he was carried off on a stretcher in tears and replaced by Mohamed Salah.

A full Achilles rupture typically requires nine to twelve months of recovery, ruling Ekitike out for the remainder of this season and a significant portion of the 2026-27 campaign.

The injury also ends his chances of participating in this summer’s World Cup.

Ekitike had scored for France in a 2-1 victory over Brazil in March and was widely expected to be included in Didier Deschamps’ squad for June’s global showpiece.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot was visibly shaken after the final whistle. “Hugo looks really bad, but it is difficult for me to say how bad,” Slot told reporters. “Tomorrow we will investigate further. It doesn’t look good — that is clear.”

The loss of Ekitike compounded a difficult evening for Liverpool, who were unable to overturn a two-goal deficit from the first leg in Paris.

The 23-year-old has been one of the Reds’ standout performers this season, netting 17 goals in 45 appearances across all competitions since his €95 million move from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer.

Having established himself as the focal point of Liverpool’s attack and a key figure in France’s World Cup plans, the timing of the injury could hardly be more cruel.

Ekitike now faces the most demanding rehabilitation challenge of his career.