Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike will miss the rest of the season and the World Cup after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon in the Champions League
Hugo Ekitike faces a lengthy and "horrible" road to recovery after suffering a devastating Achilles tendon injury. The Liverpool striker will now miss the remainder of the season as well as this summer's World Cup.
The 23-year-old was carried off on a stretcher early in Liverpool's Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday evening after losing his footing less than half an hour into the quarter-final tie.
Former Aston Villa forward Gabby Agbonlahor, speaking on talkSPORT, offered his sympathies to the French international, explaining that he had endured the same injury himself in the past. The retired striker admitted that it could be almost a year before Liverpool supporters see Ekitike back in action.
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"I've done that injury," Agbonlahor told co-host Andy Goldstein. "I did it playing badminton. It's not painful, it's weird, and it felt like I was running toward the net, it felt like something had landed on me, like a brick had hit me or landed on the back of my leg.
"I went down and I went hmm. I remember Jermaine Jenas doing his and saying it feels weird like someone's shot you. It's a weird feeling, the pain comes later on at the hospital when you have to put all the strappings on.
"I got [the pain] 12 hours afterward. I actually said to myself, 'I'm not going to A&E.' I actually carried on walking to the car on it, limping. But the rehab on it, horrible rehab on an Achilles tendon.
"And you're so scared when you come back to even run on it again, so nine months if he's lucky - it could be longer. So, they've got to replace Ekitike."
Liverpool have officially confirmed the extent of the injury on their website. In a statement released on Thursday morning, the club said: "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 side-lined 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."
France manager Didier Deschamps, speaking on Wednesday, confirmed the striker would not play at the World Cup. The Les Bleus boss said: "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. His disappointment is immense. Hugo will regain his top form, I'm convinced of it."
Ekitike signed for the Reds from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer for £69million and has netted 17 goals in his debut campaign at Anfield. The setback marks a significant blow for both the player and manager Arne Slot, who has only recently welcomed back fellow striker Alexander Isak, following his broken leg sustained against Tottenham in December.
On X, Ekitike shared his feelings about the cruel setback. He posted: "It’s hard, maybe even unfair… but I’m grateful this is happening to me here, among you. I’m not alone. Your strength and your love will be my driving force. See you again soon, Anfield."