Hugo Ekitike arrived at Anfield last summer as Liverpool’s marquee forward signing, joining from Eintracht Frankfurt for £79 million.
He wasted little time settling into Arne Slot’s side, quickly becoming one of the team’s most reliable goal threats.
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By April, the Frenchman had scored 17 goals for Liverpool in his debut campaign, establishing himself as arguably the standout performer among the club’s summer arrivals. He also earned senior recognition with France, scoring against Brazil during the season.
That momentum was halted in the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield in April.
Ekitike slipped on the turf during the first half, went down in clear distress, and had to be stretchered off the pitch.
Scans confirmed the worst: a ruptured Achilles tendon.
Liverpool immediately ruled him out for the rest of the season, and the injury also cost him a place at this summer’s World Cup with France.
Ekitike underwent surgery on the tendon later that month, with head coach Slot describing the operation as “an important step” in what he warned would be a lengthy rehabilitation process.
American surgeon Dr Martin O’Malley, whose past work includes NBA star Jayson Tatum’s Achilles recovery, was consulted on the procedure.
Now, according to the Liverpool Echo’s Ian Doyle, Hugo Ekitike has set himself a target date for his return.
Doyle wrote that the striker “has himself set a comeback date of Boxing Day,” though he cautioned that “the severity of his Achilles injury suggests it won’t be until next season that he is properly back and firing fully.”
That timeline lines up with medical estimates given at the time of the injury, with recovery from a ruptured Achilles typically taking between nine and 12 months.
On that basis, Ekitike’s return could fall anywhere between January and April 2027.
The forward spent the summer working with physiotherapist Berengar Buschmann in Los Angeles, progressing through weight-bearing exercises, hydrotherapy and light ball work while wearing a protective boot.
He has since resumed his rehabilitation at Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre.
Dr Andrew J. Elliott, a foot and ankle surgeon who works alongside O’Malley, told The Athletic that Ekitike may soon progress to an anti-gravity treadmill for walking and light jogging.
He added that pushing the recovery too quickly risks “permanent weakness or the risk of a re-rupture.”
History offers a mixed picture for players recovering from the same injury. Ekitike’s former PSG teammate Presnel Kimpembe ruptured his Achilles in February 2023 and did not play again for two years. Crystal Palace’s Cheick Doucoure returned within a season but has managed only 515 minutes of senior football since.
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