Hugo Ekitike's Road to Recovery: Latest Update and Expected Comeback Timeline for Liverpool's Rising Star

An already dreadful Champions League evening for Liverpool worsened further when Hugo Ekitiké went down on the pitch late in the opening half of a 2–0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain.

The summer acquisition was visibly in pain as he was carried off on a stretcher, and initial concerns about a serious injury were heightened by Arne Slot's post-match remarks.

"Hugo looks really bad but it is difficult to say how bad," Slot admitted.

"Let's see. It doesn't look good, that is clear."

Defender Ibrahima Konaté was equally pessimistic, saying: "I think it is bad. I don't know, I have heard many things, I have no word to talk about that because with the World Cup coming it is very, very hard for him and I send him my prayers."

Here's everything you need to know about Ekitiké's injury.

What Injury Does Ekitiké Have?

No official diagnosis has been announced yet, but supporters were left deeply alarmed by the distressing sight of Ekitiké requiring a stretcher to exit the field.

Ekitiké was clutching his ankle while on the ground, suggesting a possible Achilles issue. Injuries in that region can vary in severity, with a feared ACL tear representing one of the worst potential outcomes for the French forward.

Scans have been scheduled for Wednesday, after which the nature of Ekitiké's injury is expected to become clearer.

When Will Ekitiké Return From Injury?

A return timeline can only be established once the full extent of Ekitiké's injury has been confirmed.

Should Ekitiké have sustained an ACL injury, the standard recovery period is approximately nine months, making a return to action before the end of 2026 an extraordinary feat.

A less serious diagnosis would allow for an earlier return, but even in a best-case scenario, the timing of his injury is particularly unfortunate given the number of fixtures he stands to miss.

What Matches Could Ekitiké Miss Through Injury?

With only six matches and roughly as many weeks remaining in the season, Ekitiké's 2025–26 campaign appears all but finished.

There will be an anxious wait to assess Ekitiké's fitness for this summer's World Cup, which kicks off in just under eight weeks. Didier Deschamps will be reluctant to include the 23-year-old in his squad for North America unless he is fully fit, especially considering the wealth of alternatives at the France manager's disposal.

A 12-week absence would definitively rule Ekitiké out of his first World Cup appearance, while a 16-week layoff would threaten his availability for the start of next season with Liverpool on Aug. 22.

Naturally, in the event of an ACL injury, the focus would shift entirely to 2027.

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