By Martin Graham
France boss Didier Deschamps has announced that striker Hugo Ekitike will miss the upcoming World Cup following a suspected Achilles injury suffered during Liverpool’s Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old was carried off on a stretcher at Anfield, with early indications suggesting a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Subsequent medical scans are expected to clarify the extent of the damage, though initial fears point to a serious problem that could also impact the beginning of next season.
In a statement released through the French Football Federation, Deschamps acknowledged the severity of the situation, confirming the forward will not return this season or feature in the World Cup. He highlighted how well the player had adapted to the national setup, both on and off the field, and described the injury as a major loss for the squad.
Deschamps also expressed strong support for the young forward, emphasizing both the player’s disappointment and the collective backing from the coaching staff, while remaining confident that Ekitike will eventually return to peak condition.
Impressive debut season cut short
Ekitike joined Liverpool FC from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer and quickly established himself as one of the club’s key contributors during a challenging campaign. He registered 17 goals and six assists across all competitions, underlining his importance to the team.
Earlier in the year, he matched a rare feat by becoming only the second Liverpool player after Kenny Dalglish to score in five separate competitions during his first season with the club.
Following the defeat to PSG, head coach Arne Slot admitted the injury looked serious from the outset. He noted that the forward had already left the stadium during the second half and stressed how difficult it is to lose a player at such a crucial stage of the campaign, especially given the club’s ongoing injury struggles.
Liverpool have already been dealing with multiple absences, including long-term injuries to Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley, while Alisson Becker and Wataru Endo remain unavailable. Meanwhile, Alexander Isak only recently returned from an ankle issue.
Uncertainty over recovery timeline
The exact length of Ekitike’s recovery will depend on whether the Achilles injury is a partial or complete rupture, with estimates ranging from six months to potentially up to a year. Such a timeline could even delay his return until 2027.
Before the injury, the forward had been in strong form for France, making his debut last September and impressing during the most recent international break in the United States. He scored in a victory over Brazil and also featured against Colombia, strengthening his case for a prominent role in the national team.
There had been expectations he would start on the left side of an attacking quartet alongside Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, and Ousmane Dembélé in a 4-2-3-1 system at the World Cup.
His absence presents a significant challenge not only for France but also for Liverpool’s planning. The club may need to consider bringing in another attacker for next season, though that could create selection complications once Ekitike eventually returns.