Hugo Ekitike Ruled Out for Season and World Cup Due to Achilles Injury

Liverpool has confirmed that striker Hugo Ekitike will be out for the remainder of the season and the World Cup with France due to a severe Achilles injury. The forward was forced to leave the game during the first half of Tuesday's Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield after slipping on the turf, and scans have confirmed a rupture of the Achilles tendon. There are concerns that the 23-year-old could be sidelined for at least six months, with the worst-case scenario being an absence of up to nine months, although further analysis is needed to determine the recovery timeline. Liverpool announced on Thursday: 'Ekitike will therefore be unavailable for the remaining weeks of the club season and will not participate in this summer's World Cup with France.' France head coach Didier Deschamps stated: '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 and off the pitch. 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.' Ekitike's injury occurred just as Alexander Isak returned from his serious leg injury, with the British record transfer making his first start since fracturing his ankle in December. Ekitike has scored 19 goals for Liverpool and France this season after signing from Eintracht Frankfurt for £79m last summer. His injury comes at a critical time as Liverpool aim to secure a spot in next season's Champions League. They are currently fifth in the Premier League, three points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa and four points ahead of Chelsea. Sky Sports' Peter Smith noted that another injury for Liverpool compounds a common and unfortunate theme for their season. The plan at the start of the season was for Isak and fellow summer signings Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike to combine in a new-look £320m attack. However, Ekitike's injury against PSG added to Liverpool's frustrating night, and Slot pointed out how he hasn't had a chance to use those three big names together often enough. On Ekitike's injury, he added: 'Losing a game is hard, but losing a player is something we've had many times this season.' First-choice keeper Alisson has also missed game time with hamstring problems, Conor Bradley has had knee surgery, Giovanni Leoni's ACL injury put a strain on centre-back depth, while Jeremie Frimpong, Wataru Endo, and Joe Gomez have also been out for significant spells. After claiming the fitness of his squad was at its best for the campaign before facing PSG, Liverpool have been hampered and hindered regularly.