Liverpool's Hugo Ekitiké suffers Achilles rupture, ruled out for season and World Cup
Liverpool have confirmed that striker Hugo Ekitiké has suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon and will miss the remainder of the season as well as this summer's World Cup. The club announced the news in a statement posted on its official social media channels on Thursday, following further scans on the injury the 22-year-old Frenchman sustained during the second leg of Liverpool's Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain.
The club's statement read: "Subsequent examinations confirmed a rupture of the Achilles tendon." It added that "Ekitiké will therefore be unavailable for the rest of the club season and will not be able to participate in the World Cup this summer with France." The forward was stretchered off during the match at Anfield, which Liverpool won to advance to the semi-finals.
Liverpool also shared a message of support for the player, posting "We are all with you, Hugo" alongside a photograph of Ekitiké. The France national team manager, Didier Deschamps, has also sent his support to the striker, as have several of his international teammates including Kylian Mbappé, according to reports.
The injury represents a devastating personal blow for Ekitiké at a crucial juncture in his career. Having established himself as a key figure for Liverpool since his arrival, he was widely expected to be part of Deschamps' squad for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The typical recovery timeline for a ruptured Achilles is between six to nine months, which would rule him out of the tournament entirely.
For Liverpool, the loss of Ekitiké is a significant setback for the climax of their campaign. The club remains in contention for the Premier League title and the Champions League, where they will face Bayern Munich in the last four. Ekitiké has been a regular contributor in attack this season, and his absence will test the depth of Jurgen Klopp's squad during the run-in.
The forward's injury also raises immediate questions about Liverpool's transfer strategy heading into the summer window, with the club now potentially in the market for attacking reinforcements earlier than planned. Ekitiké's focus will now shift entirely to his rehabilitation, with the aim of returning to full fitness for the start of the 2026-27 pre-season.
