Hugo Ekitike has handed Liverpool a massive boost. Watch the French striker return to light ball work in LA as he targets an ambitious recovery timeline.
The sight of a high-profile signing working his way back from a long-term layoff is always a welcome boost around Anfield, and that is exactly the position Liverpool find themselves in with Hugo Ekitike.
The 24-year-old forward saw a stellar debut campaign on Merseyside cruelly cut short in mid-April. Slipped on the Anfield turf just 31 minutes into the Champions League quarter-final defeat against Paris Saint-Germain, Ekitike suffered a full rupture of his right Achilles tendon.
The diagnosis was as grim as it was immediate: surgery was required, his club season was over, and his dreams of spearheading France’s 2026 World Cup campaign were instantly dashed.
Standard rehabilitation timelines for an injury of this magnitude typically sit between nine and twelve months, casting a massive doubt over whether the striker would feature again before 2027. However, early signs from his recovery camp offer plenty of encouragement.
Ekitike has spent his summer in Los Angeles working under the watchful eye of trusted German physiotherapist Berengar Buschmann. The renowned specialist recently shared a comprehensive video update on social media detailing the forward’s progress.
?? A video published on social media on Friday shows Ekitike working hard on his rehab in the gym, performing several exercises designed to strengthen the Achilles.
It is understood a more informed timescale for his Liverpool comeback will only become clear once… pic.twitter.com/cIiokzH7Tz
— Anything Liverpool (@AnythingLFC_) July 4, 2026
Having finally discarded his protective boot and crutches, the forward is moving through a meticulously planned multi-stage recovery program.
The footage highlighted the former PSG and Frankfurt man undertaking heavy gym work, weight-bearing hydrotherapy exercises in a swimming pool, and, most crucially for onlookers, introducing light ball juggling and passing drills into his routine.
While reintroducing a football to his feet is a massive psychological milestone for the player, the medical staff view this strictly as a foundational phase. The current focus remains entirely on rebuilding calf muscle strength, joint flexibility, and restoring the explosive tendon power required for an elite modern forward.
According to reports out of France via L’Equipe suggest Ekitike is privately targeting an ambitious early return. The striker is aiming to return to full squad training by the autumn roughly seven months post-injury with the ultimate goal of making himself available for selection by Boxing Day.
Should that optimistic timeline hold true, Ekitike could theoretically be in contention for Liverpool’s festive trip to face Hull City at the MKM Stadium on December 26, right before a crucial clash against Aston Villa.
There is certainly elite precedent to fuel his motivation. Prominent American surgeon Dr. Martin O’Malley, who served as a chief consultant on Ekitike’s surgery, previously oversaw a similar repair for Boston Celtics NBA star Jayson Tatum, helping him return to peak physical form within ten months.
Live4Liverpool Verdict
This is a massive shot of optimism, but context is everything.Ekitike was arguably Liverpool’s most clinical attacking spark before the injury, racking up 19 goals across all competitions for club and country
Hearing that he’s already back doing light ball work in LA is fantastic, and aiming for a Boxing Day return shows the player’s elite elite mentality. But Achilles ruptures are notoriously unforgiving. One premature sprint can reset the clock by another six months.
We’d all love to see him unwrapped like a new signing on Boxing Day, but ensuring Ekitike is 100% recovered for the long-term future is infinitely more important than forcing him into a winter battle at Hull. Let him take his time.