Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has confirmed that forward Hugo Ekitike underwent successful surgery following a ruptured Achilles tendon. The French player sustained the severe injury during a European competition match against his former club, PSG. According to medical examination results, the forward will be sidelined for at least nine months, as Goal.com reports.
This injury has ruled Ekitike out not only for the remainder of the current season but also from the 2026 World Cup. He is also expected to miss the vast majority of the next season. Coach Slot noted that while the surgery went well, a long and arduous path to full recovery will be required.
“The surgery was successful, but such a long rehabilitation process involves many stages. Specialists say this will last for several months. He will return even stronger, just like other players who have been out for a long time,” Arne Slot said during a press conference.
Currently, the injury situation at Liverpool is becoming increasingly complex. While goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili has suffered a knee injury, Alisson Becker is dealing with muscle-related issues. The team may be forced to field Freddie Woodman in goal for Saturday's match against Crystal Palace.
For Liverpool, currently in fifth place in the English Premier League, securing a UEFA Champions League spot remains a critical task. The team is currently five points ahead of Brighton with a game in hand. Despite the squad losses, Slot's side will strive to finish the season successfully.
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