Hugo Ekitike is facing nine to 12 months on the sideline after the Liverpool striker “heard his Achilles snap,” with sources indicating his injury is a rupture.
Ekitike will miss the World Cup and could be absent for the majority of next season after rupturing his Achilles in Tuesday’s 2-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain.
That is according to ESPN‘s Julien Laurens among others, with the French journalist reporting information from sources close to the player himself.
“He heard his Achilles snap before collapsing on the floor in pain,” it is explained, with Ekitike stretchered off the pitch in tears before leaving Anfield and heading home early.
The expectation is that his recovery will take between nine and 12 months, which means his earliest return date would be January 2027 and the latest April 2027.
Medical Recovery: Achilles Tendon Rupture
Timeline Rehab Phase Activity Level
Weeks 0–2 Post-Op Protection: Focus on wound healing. Non-weight bearing in a splint/cast. Total Immobilisation
Weeks 3–6 Early Loading: Walking boot with wedges. Gentle isometric contractions to slow calf atrophy. Partial weight-bearing
Weeks 7–12 Tendon Strengthening: Weaning off the boot. Focus on restoring normal gait and ankle mobility. Gym-based eccentric loading
Months 4–6 Impact Loading: Introduction of ‘Alter-G’ (anti-gravity) running and double-leg jumping. Return to outdoor running
Months 7–9 Sport-Specific: Plyometric drills, high-speed sprinting, and multi-directional ‘cutting’. Non-contact team training
Months 10+ Return to Play: Full competitive clearance. Calf power must be within 90% of the uninjured side. Full Match Fitness
The Verdict: While most players can ‘run’ after 6 months, the primary medical challenge with the Achilles is the loss of propulsion. It usually takes a full 12 months for a player to trust their calf enough to engage in the explosive 1v1 duels that Ekitike relies on.
Liverpool are yet to disclose the extent of Ekitike’s injury but he is likely to require surgery, which serves as the latest in a long line of setbacks this season.
His absence will clearly not only be felt in the final weeks of the current campaign but for large parts of next season – while there may even be doubts over his long-term fitness even upon returning.
Ekitike’s former PSG team-mate Presnel Kimpembe missed two years of football after rupturing his Achilles, and after making his return in February 2025 now plays for Qatar SC at 30.
For Liverpool, the immediate focus will be on supporting the 23-year-old in his recovery, while Arne Slot works with Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Federico Chiesa as his primary options for the centre-forward role.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, April 14, 2026: Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike is check up on by team-mates Milos Kerkez and captain Virgil van Dijk (R) as he stretchered off with a suspected Achilles injury 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)
Isak is himself working his way back from a broken leg and looked considerably short of fitness making his first start since December in Tuesday’s defeat to PSG.
Gakpo is likely to start up front in Sunday’s Merseyside derby which will mean more game time for 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha.
With Mohamed Salah set to depart at the end of the season and Chiesa likely to be sold, Ekitike’s injury also means more investment will be required in the forward line.
Liverpool were already expected to sign at least two wingers with RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande and Hoffenheim’s Bazoumana Toure among their targets, but they could now opt for a player capable of filling in up front.