Hugo Ekitike faces a significant setback as he will miss the World Cup and is expected to be sidelined for at least nine months. The Liverpool forward suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon while playing against Paris Saint-Germain during the Champions League quarterfinal match on Tuesday night, as reported by a source close to the France international.
After just 22 minutes on the field at Anfield, Ekitike left the pitch in tears, carried off on a stretcher. He reportedly heard a snap in his Achilles before collapsing in pain, according to the same source.
Scans are scheduled for Wednesday to determine whether the rupture is complete or partial.
The typical recovery time for an Achilles tendon rupture ranges from nine to twelve months.
While Liverpool has yet to make an official announcement regarding the injury, Ekitike’s absence is a significant loss for the Reds as they aim for a top-five finish in the Premier League. It also impacts the French national team, as Ekitike, 23, was expected to participate in the upcoming World Cup.
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On Tuesday night, Arne Slot remarked, “it doesn’t look good,” while teammate Ibrahima Konaté expressed concern: “I think it is bad. I have heard numerous things, and I don’t have the words to describe it because with the World Cup approaching, it is very, very tough for him; I send him my prayers.”
The club is already devising a plan for Ekitike’s surgery and subsequent rehabilitation, according to the source.
The former PSG striker joined Liverpool last summer, making an immediate impact with 17 goals and six assists in his debut season.