- Ekitike got injured against PSG
- Set to be out for at least six months
- World Cup dreams shattered
The 2024/25 season has taken a devastating turn for Liverpool and the French national team as France manager Didier Deschamps officially broke his silence on the “huge blow” regarding Hugo Ekitike.
The 23-year-old striker, who has been a revelation at Anfield since his £79 million move, saw his 2026 World Cup dreams shattered in a nightmare sequence during the Champions League quarterfinals against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.
The Frenchman is set to miss the rest of the season and be out of action for around nine months after a suspected Achilles injury. The striker went down injured around the half-hour mark of the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals at Anfield despite not having any opponent around him.
He needed a stretcher to get off the pitch and was sent for scans on Wednesday. Liverpool are yet to confirm the extent of the 23-year-old’s injury, but the France national team boss has announced the bad news.
Deschamps confident about Hugo Ekitike making comeback
In a statement released by the French football team on X (formerly Twitter), Deschamps has confirmed that the injury against PSG has ended Ekitike’s season. He added that the Liverpool striker will also miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup this season, calling it a big blow to his side, as the striker had settled in well. He said:
“Hugo suffered a serious injury on Tuesday evening against PSG. The severity of his injury will unfortunately prevent him from finishing the season with Liverpool and participating in the World Cup. Hugo is one of the dozen young players who have made their debuts with the national team in recent months.”
“He had perfectly integrated into the group, both on the pitch and off it. This injury is a huge blow for him, of course, but also for the France team. His disappointment is immense. Hugo will regain his top form, I’m convinced of it. But I wanted to express all my support to him, as well as that of the entire staff. We know he’ll be fully behind the France team, and we’re all thinking of him very strongly.”
Ekitike has played eight times for the national team, scoring two goals so far. He made his debut earlier this season, when he was called up in the September international break, and has been ever-present in the team since.
Liverpool waiting for Ekitike’s scan results
France have announced the injury blow to Ekitike, but Liverpool are yet to release a statement. The £79 million signing has been in good form this season and has led the attack as Alexander Isak has been out with a broken leg for a large part of the season.
Arne Slot spoke about the injury after the 2-0 loss to PSG and said:
“I think we could all see that it didn’t look well and didn’t look good. Let’s wait and see what it will be. But we could all see it didn’t look good. In the second half, he went home so I haven’t seen him yet.
“Losing a game is already very hard, especially in the way we lost it, but again – as it seems to be – losing a player is something we’ve had so many times this season. It’s especially very hard for him because you never want to be injured, especially not at this moment of time in the season.”
The confirmation of Hugo Ekitike’s injury marks a somber turning point for both club and country during what should have been a career-defining summer.
While Liverpool must now navigate the remainder of their campaign without their £79 million talisman, the personal heartbreak for Ekitike missing a World Cup just as he had cemented his place in Didier Deschamps’ plans is the most bitter pill to swallow.
As the 23-year-old begins a grueling nine-month road to recovery, the footballing world will watch to see how the Reds adapt their front line in his absence.
For now, the focus remains on the young striker’s health, with the hope that he can return to the form that made him a standout star at Anfield. As Deschamps noted, his quality is undeniable, and while he won’t be on the pitch in North America, his impact on the journey there has left a lasting impression.
