FOOTBALL
By Eishna Rawat
Posted on June 18, 2026 1:00 am | Updated on June 17, 2026 4:42 pm Hugo Ekitike is targeting a Boxing Day comeback after rupturing his Achilles against Paris Saint-Germain.
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Hugo Ekitike is pushing for a return to Premier League action by Boxing Day, according to the latest injury news out of Liverpool. The French forward has been sidelined since April, and his absence has been one of the biggest stories in football this summer.
Hugo Ekitike Eyes Christmas Comeback After Devastating Injury
It was a moment that stopped the season in its tracks. Hugo Ekitike ruptured his right Achilles tendon against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. It ended what had been a stunning debut campaign. As reported by Yahoo Sports, the 23-year-old had scored 17 goals in all competitions before going down at Anfield. He had arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt for £69 million. It was a cruel blow at the worst possible time.
Hugo Ekitike for Liverpool in 2025/26, as per FOTMOB:
Competitions Matches Goals Assists
Premier League 28 11 4
Community Shield 1 1 0
FA Cup 3 1 1
EFL Cup 1 1 0
UCL 12 3 1
The injury also cost him a first World Cup appearance with France. That loss hit hard. As reported by L’Equipe, Ekitike has been in “immense pain” for the past two months. The heartbreak of missing the World Cup led him to pretend football had ceased to exist for a while.
Despite all that, the Reds’ medical team is pleased with his progress. He has been working on upper-body strength while his right leg remains in a protective boot. It allows him to maintain fitness without straining the Achilles.
Hugo Ekitike’s Surgery and the Tatum Connection
Days after the injury, Hugo Ekitike had a successful operation in London. As reported by Yahoo Sports, the procedure was carried out by American specialists. One name stands out: Dr Martin O’Malley. He is the same surgeon who operated on Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum after an identical Achilles rupture in May 2025.
Tatum’s recovery timeline is relevant here. He was back on the court within ten months. A Boxing Day return, then, moves from optimism to a genuine possibility.
Achilles injuries are notoriously unforgiving. As reported by Get Football News France, cases like Presnel Kimpembe, Ekitike’s former PSG team-mate, show how serious they can be. Kimpembe missed nearly two years with the same problem. But the early signs from Liverpool are far more positive. The striker is targeting autumn training and a late December return.
Frenchman’s Return Would Be a Huge Boost for Andoni Iraola
When the **Reds**‘ number 22 comes back, he will have a new head coach to impress. As reported by Yahoo Sports, Andoni Iraola has taken charge at Anfield this summer. Having a forward of Ekitike’s quality available in the second half of the season would be a significant asset.
As reported by Get French Football News, the Premier League fixture list for 2026/27 will be out on Friday. Boxing Day is one of the most competitive rounds in English football. Getting Ekitike back for that window would hand Iraola a key attacking option at a vital stage of the campaign.
As reported by Yahoo Sports, former head coach Arne Slot had noted that the player had taken an “important step” in his recovery before leaving the club.
None of this guarantees a smooth ride back. But the momentum is clearly in the right direction. For a Liverpool side still finding its shape under new management, having their top scorer back before the year ends would be among the most welcome developments of the new season.
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Eishna Rawat
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