Hugo Ekitike is set to miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season—and potentially the early part of the following campaign—after suffering a serious Achilles tendon injury during Liverpool’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain.
The 23-year-old French striker was forced off on a stretcher in visible distress, clutching his right lower leg with no opponent nearby, in what immediately raised concerns of a major setback.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot described the incident as looking “really bad” shortly after the match, noting that further scans would confirm the extent but that the initial signs were worrying. Subsequent tests have reportedly verified a ruptured Achilles, with medical expectations pointing to a recovery timeline of around nine months.
This would likely keep Ekitike sidelined until approximately January 2027, ruling him out not only for the rest of Liverpool’s domestic and European run but also for France’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
The blow comes at a difficult moment for the Reds, who exited the Champions League with a 4-0 aggregate defeat to PSG and now face additional pressure on their attacking options as the Premier League season winds down. Ekitike had been a key part of Arne Slot’s forward line this term, and his prolonged absence represents a significant setback for both club and player.
