Liverpool FC have officially confirmed that Hugo Ekitke has suffered an Achilles tendon rupture.
The French striker was stretchered off in the 27th minute of Tuesday night’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against PSG at Anfield, going down in a non-contact incident that immediately drew concern from players and staff on both sides.
The fact that it was off the ball with no PSG players putting in any sort of challenge immediately set off alarm bells.
Now the worst has been confirmed by the club, with Ekitike suffering the widely reported Achilles tendon rupture.
A club statement read:
“Liverpool FC can confirm Hugo Ekitike has sustained a serious Achilles injury.”
“The forward had to be substituted during the first half of Tuesday’s Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield after a slip on the turf.
“Scans on the issue have subsequently confirmed a rupture of the Achilles tendon.”
“Ekitike will therefore be sidelined for the remaining weeks of the club season and unable to participate at this summer’s World Cup with France.”
“Further updates will be provided at the appropriate time, with Hugo receiving the full support of everyone at LFC.”
Ekitike is now expected to miss the remainder of this season, the World Cup, and the opening months of 2026/27, with his rehabilitation timeline estimated at between nine and twelve months.
France manager Didier Deschamps likewise confirmed that the 23-year-old will miss the World Cup:
“Hugo suffered a serious injury on Tuesday evening against PSG. The severity of his injury will unfortunately prevent him from finishing the season with Liverpool and participating in the World Cup,” confirmed Deschamps.
“Hugo is one of the dozen young players who have made their debuts with the national team in recent months. He had perfectly integrated into the group, both on the pitch and off it. This injury is a huge blow for him, of course, but also for the France team.
“His disappointment is immense. Hugo will regain his top form, I’m convinced of it. But I wanted to express all my support to him, as well as that of the entire staff. We know he’ll be fully behind the France team, and we’re all thinking of him very strongly.”
Alexander Isak had only just returned from his leg fracture he suffered in December – making Ekitike’s blow all the more damaging to Slot’s already-stretched attacking options.