Liverpool report: Ekitike set for nine month absence after horror Champions League injury

Liverpool star Hugo Ekitike is preparing for life on the sidelines after his withdrawal in last night’s Champions League clash against PSG.

The Liverpool forward was stretchered off the pitch at Anfield after just 30 minutes, being replaced by Mohamed Salah in the Champions League quarter-final.

The game ended 2-0 to PSG, with a brace from Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele making the difference for the travelling side.

Hugo Ekitike is set for a nine month spell on the sidelines

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The Frenchman collapsed to the ground without contact just before the half-hour mark, holding his right ankle in severe pain.

In a post-match press conference match, Liverpool manager Arne Slot provided an update on his player’s condition: ‘It looked really bad... tomorrow we will investigate further, how bad this is for him.’

According to a report from L’equipe, Ekitike has ruptured his Achilles tendon with an estimated nine-month lay-off necessary for his recovery.

Not only will the Anfield favourite miss the remainder of the season, but he will also be absent from this summer’s World Cup and large parts of Liverpool’s next campaign.

Ekitike, who has scored 17 goals and provided six assists at his new club this season, has also impressed for France in various international appearances.

Last month, he scored the eventual winner in France’s 2-1 international friendly win over Brazil, assisted by teammate Michael Olise.

The forward made his first international appearance for Didier Deschamps’ side in September 2025 with a nine-minute cameo against Ukraine.

In Ekitike’s first start for the national team, he assisted Kylian Mbappe’s opener in a 3-0 win over Azerbaijan, before registering his first goal just two games later in a 4-1 win over Ukraine, as France topped their World Cup qualification group.

The forward's absence will also deeply affect Liverpool both this season and next, with Slot’s men still in the race for Champions League qualification and losing vital attacking depth ahead of next year with Mohamed Salah’s departure.

Liverpool return to Premier League action this Sunday as they travel to the Hill Dickinson Stadium to face Everton.