LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's injured Hugo Ekitike during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's injured Hugo Ekitike during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Hugo Ekitike is stepping up his recovery after Achilles surgery in April, but an expert surgeon has warned it “can often be a longer process than people expect.”
Ekitike is targeting a return to action around the end of December, with the Liverpool striker making progress in his recovery from a long-term injury.
But these remain early days in the Frenchman’s rehabilitation, having spent the summer with physio Berengar Buschmann in Los Angeles before resuming work at the AXA Training Centre this month.
Speaking to The Athletic, Dr Andrew J. Elliott – a foot and ankle surgeon who works with the consultant on Ekitike’s surgery, Dr Martin O’Malley – discussed his next steps.
“Soon, he may be able to start on an anti-gravity treadmill, walking and possibly light jogging,” Dr Elliott revealed.
Ekitike warning: “The recovery timeline is so important”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, April 14, 2026: Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike lies on the floor Injured holding his ankle during the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 2nd Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, April 14, 2026: Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike lies on the floor Injured holding his ankle during the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 2nd Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“Recovery can often be a longer process than people expect.
“Following physical therapy guidance is essential as pushing too fast and too soon could stretch out the Achilles, leading to permanent weakness or the risk of a re-rupture.
“Leaning on trainers and care teams, taking advice from others who have gone through it, and trusting the recovery timeline is so important.
“The focus must be on progress rather than what they can’t do yet.”
Dr Elliott’s final line may be pertinent, with Liverpool set to begin pre-season training at the AXA on July 14 but with Ekitike far from ready to rejoin his team-mates for sessions.
Instead he will remain in the gym and working with specialists, which could soon include work on an anti-gravity treadmill to begin restoring mobility and strength to his right leg.
Away from football, Ekitike is close to being able to walk unaided again, with the 24-year-old attending Wimbledon this week holding a decorative cane, rather than the crutches he has required throughout the summer.
His training in California, which Buschmann shared in a popular post on Instagram, may have increased anticipation around Ekitike’s comeback.
When is Hugo Ekitike targeting for Liverpool return?
3CTYD64 Wroclaw, Poland. 05th Sep, 2025. Hugo Ekitike of France seen during European World Cup Qualifiers 2026 football match between Ukraine and France at Stadium Wroclaw (Wroclaw). Final score Ukraine 0 : 2 France (Photo by Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/Sipa USA) Credit: Sipa US/Alamy Live News
3CTYD64 Wroclaw, Poland. 05th Sep, 2025. Hugo Ekitike of France seen during European World Cup Qualifiers 2026 football match between Ukraine and France at Stadium Wroclaw (Wroclaw). Final score Ukraine 0 : 2 France (Photo by Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/Sipa USA) Credit: Sipa US/Alamy Live News
Even with his optimistic return target of December 26, as reported by L’Equipe last month, it remains a long road ahead.
“I wish I was there [with France at the World Cup], but that’s life,” he told GQ on his visit to Wimbledon.
“I am where I am, and sometimes everybody has to deal with stuff.
“That’s my challenge and I accepted it so I’m happy for them and I hope they’re going to reach the final, win it, and bring the cup back to France.”
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Football – UEFA Champions League – Eintracht Frankfurt v Liverpool FC
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, October 21, 2025: Liverpool's Curtis Jones during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Liverpool FC. (Photo by Jessica Hornby/Propaganda)
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Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) celebrates scoring his side's first goal against Austria with teammates during the World Cup Group J soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)