Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike ruled out for nine months with Achilles rupture
Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike is expected to be sidelined for approximately nine months after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon during Tuesday's Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. According to a report from L'Equipe, the injury, sustained in the first half without contact from an opponent, will rule the French international out for the remainder of this season, the 2026 World Cup, and a significant portion of the 2026-27 campaign.
Manager Arne Slot confirmed the severity of the issue post-match, telling Amazon Prime Video that the situation "didn't look good" and expressing sympathy for the player. Ekitike was substituted in the first half and replaced by Mohamed Salah as Liverpool exited the competition following a 4-0 aggregate loss. The injury represents another significant blow in a season where Liverpool have been persistently affected by fitness problems within the squad.
The 23-year-old forward only joined Liverpool last summer in a deal worth an initial €80 million, part of a major striker overhaul that also saw the club sign Alexander Isak for a further €65 million. While Isak's own debut season has been hampered by injuries, limiting him to just 11 Premier League appearances, Ekitike has established himself as the primary centre-forward. He has made 45 appearances across all competitions this term, scoring 17 goals, with 11 of those coming in the league.
His extended absence now thrusts Isak into the starting role for Liverpool's final Premier League matches as they push to secure a top-five finish and Champions League qualification. The long-term implications for Liverpool's transfer strategy are now a point of discussion. Having invested heavily in two strikers last summer, the club must decide whether to enter the market for a temporary replacement or rely on existing squad options like Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez to provide cover alongside Isak.
For Ekitike personally, the timing is particularly cruel, robbing him of the chance to represent France at the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico later this year. His recovery timeline suggests he is unlikely to feature for club or country before the start of 2027, marking a devastating interruption to a promising first season at Anfield. The injury leaves Slot with a familiar problem, navigating the final stretch of a challenging season without a key attacking contributor.
