Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike set for 9-month absence with right Achilles tendon rupture | OneFootball

Liverpool’s worst fears regarding Hugo Ekitike (23) have unfortunately been confirmed by L’Equipe. The outlet reports that the France international has ruptured his right Achilles tendon. Ekitike was stretchered off the pitch during Liverpool’s 2-0 home loss to PSG in the Champions League quarter-final return leg. It is an awful blow for Ekitike, who will miss out on the World Cup and also a significant chunk of the next campaign.

In the aftermath of the game, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot already provided a worrying update regarding Ekitike’s injury. “I think we could all see that it didn’t look well and didn’t look good“, the Dutchman. “Let’s wait and see what it will be. But we could all see it didn’t look good.“

The manner in which Ekitike collapsed on his own to the ground, holding his right ankle in severe pain was an ominous sign that he had suffered a serious Achilles injury. In today’s edition, L’Equipe confirms that the former Eintracht Frankfurt forward ruptured his Achilles tendon. The outlet estimates that a 9-month lay-off is necessary before resuming training, in the best case scenario.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval