Liverpool have been shocked by the news that Hugo Ekitike is expected to be out for around nine months after reports he has suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon.
The France international was stretchered off during the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain, ending his season and ruling him out of this summer’s World Cup.
Liverpool’s fears were confirmed by L’Equipe , which reported that the 23-year-old has ruptured the Achilles tendon in his right foot.
The Frenchman went down in great pain during the first half of the 2-0 defeat to PSG, forcing the early entry of Mohamed Salah, as Liverpool were eliminated 4-0 on aggregate.
This serious injury means that the €69 million summer transfer will not only miss the World Cup with France, but also a large part of next season.
The injury halts an impressive debut season for the former Eintracht Frankfurt striker, who has scored 17 goals and provided 6 assists in 45 appearances in all competitions.
Ekitike’s absence leaves a huge void in the Liverpool team, which had serious finishing problems against PSG, failing to score despite 21 shots on goal.
This is the highest number of attempts without a goal for Liverpool in a Champions League match, since 24 shots in the 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the final in May 2022.
