After suffering a non-contact injury during Liverpool’s 2-0 defeat to PSG in the Champions League on Tuesday night, a fresh update has emerged regarding how long Hugo Ekitike could be sidelined. The Frenchman collapsed in visible agony and was quickly attended to by both sets of players and medical staff, with Mohamed Salah coming on after he was stretchered off.
Neither he nor his replacement could spark a famous Anfield comeback, as a late double from Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele condemned the Reds to a 4-0 aggregate defeat in the quarter-final. In truth, it was a result many had anticipated given the Premier League champions’ troubling run of just two wins in their previous eight matches, with the mood around the club continuing to sour.
But while the defeat dominated the immediate reaction, it may prove to be only one part of a much wider concern. As Arne Slot’s side remain focussed on securing qualification for Europe’s premier competition through the league between now and May, the latest update on Ekitike has rocked the club, putting into sharp perspective the growing list of issues they have faced this season.
How Long Ekitike Could Be Sidelined as Fresh Injury Update Emerges
Hugo Ekitike was injured during Liverpool's Champions League match with PSG
Liverpool and Ekitike’s worst fears now appear to have been confirmed, with GMS understanding that the 23-year-old has ruptured his Achilles tendon. While Slot admitted that everyone “could see that it doesn’t look good,” it now seems likely the in-form striker will miss the rest of the season.
In fact, the projected recovery timeline could stretch to around nine months, which would see him return in November or December. That would also rule him out of the World Cup with France. On top of that, there are no guarantees he will return as the same player, with some reports suggesting it could take additional months for athletes to fully regain their speed and power after such an injury.
A study of NFL players in the United States found that around 30% of those who suffered Achilles tendon ruptures between the late 1990s and early 2000s never made it back to the top level. While outcomes have improved since then, many players still experience lingering functional deficits even two years after the injury. That said, it remains unclear whether Ekitike will be affected to the same extent.
More to follow...