Exclusive: Michael Owen sends personal message to Hugo Ekitike after ‘gutting’ Liverpool injury

• Hugo Ekitike suffered a serious injury during Liverpool v PSG
• The striker is certain to miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup
• Michael Owen has now sent a personal message to him

Michael Owen has offered his support to Hugo Ekitike after the Liverpool striker suffered a serious Achilles injury.

The 23-year-old was evidently in severe pain after he appeared to injure himself around the half-hour mark during the Reds’ 2-0 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League at Anfield on 14 April.

Ekitike had to be stretchered off, with fitness experts on social media quickly diagnosing it as an Achilles injury – an assessment that turned out to be true, with Arne Slot confirming it.

It is too early to put a timeframe on when the France international would be able to return to the pitch, but he is certain to miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup, having just undergone surgery.

Owen reacts to “gutting” Ekitike injury

Owen remains unpopular at Anfield due to his association with Manchester United, but the truth is that no one understands the agony of suffering a career-derailing injury like him.

The one-time Ballon d’Or winner notably tore his hamstring during the 1998 World Cup, while also being on the receiving end of a cruciate ligament injury later in his career.

Those injuries saw the centre-forward’s career dwindle despite being the best player in the world at one point.

Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Owen has so much sympathy for Ekitike after he suffered what could be a life-changing injury at 23.

Speaking to ReadLiverpool, Owen, who now represents Casino.org, a leading platform helping players find UK casino brands, described the setback as “gutting”, especially after witnessing the Frenchman impress for club and country.

The Englishman reckons Ekitike is one of the best five centre-forwards in Europe this season and backed him to come back stronger.

He admitted that the Liverpool ace has struck him as a confident player and expects him to approach his rehab with a strong mindset.

He said: “It is really gutting and upsetting for a young player. Ekitike was one of Liverpool’s shining lights from this season so far, and I would have him as one of the best five strikers in Europe this season, so for him to be unavailable is a blow to Liverpool, but more a blow to himself, who was looking ahead to finish the season well with Liverpool and then be selected for the World Cup.

“He seems a very confident player; he has impressed me, so hopefully he comes back for the start of the season. He has to be strong-minded to work on his rehab now.”

🇫🇷 Hugo Ekitike underwent surgery in London last week; the procedure was carried out under the supervision of the surgeon who operated on Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum, who also ruptured his Achilles tendon last year.

[@lequipe via @GFFN] pic.twitter.com/2r75aTrEXR

— Anfield Sector (@AnfieldSector) April 23, 2026

Ekitike makes Liverpool fans laugh with social media post

Owen’s assessment of Ekitike being a confident person rings true, as evident by the striker’s latest social media post.

Earlier this week, the former Eintracht Frankfurt frontman uploaded several photos and videos on his personal Instagram profile.

Among them was an AI-generated video of him walking on crutches before suddenly jumping out of them to score a sensational goal against Manchester City, all while wearing shades.

The clip has certainly lightened the mood among the Liverpool fans, who have been worried about his future.

Another AI-generated image shows him wearing the French kit and crying in front of the World Cup trophy.

Ekitike’s social media accounts have become popular among the fans due to their authentic nature.

Even after a season-ending injury like this, he has shown he can keep the fans engaged with his activity online.