- Hugo Ekitike has been sidelined since rupturing his right Achilles tendon against Paris Saint-Germain on April 14
- The Liverpool forward is aiming to return to training around November, with competitive action potentially pencilled in for December
- Alexander Isak has scored 4 of Liverpool’s 7 Premier League goals this season in Ekitike’s absence, accounting for 57% of the team’s league total
Recovery Plan Points Towards a Possible December Return
Hugo Ekitike is continuing his rehabilitation from a serious Achilles injury and is hoping to play for Liverpool again before the end of the year.
The 24-year-old has not featured since suffering a rupture to his right Achilles tendon during Liverpool’s Champions League meeting with Paris Saint-Germain on April 14. The injury halted a period in which he was gaining momentum both at club level and with the France national team.
🚨🚨| NEW: Hugo Ekitike is targeting a return to action in 𝐃𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 after a ruptured Achilles tendon. 🤕🇫🇷
The French striker has been sidelined since April.
[@lequipe] pic.twitter.com/teZBfeSzYM
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) September 30, 2026
Ekitike has now made an encouraging step by beginning to jog, although there is still significant uncertainty over when he will be able to resume full training and then return to competitive football. Achilles injuries are difficult to forecast, with each stage of recovery depending heavily on how the player’s body responds.
Despite those variables, the current target is for Ekitike to return to training around November. A comeback in competitive action has been pencilled in for December, provided the next phase of his rehabilitation progresses as planned.
Liverpool’s Attack Has Shifted in His Absence
Before the injury, Ekitike had been in strong form for Liverpool. The former Paris Saint-Germain striker had recorded 17 goals and six assists in 45 appearances, earning the starting berth ahead of Alexander Isak.
Since Ekitike’s spell out of the side began, Isak has taken on much of the scoring responsibility. The Swedish striker has netted 4 of Liverpool’s 7 Premier League goals this season, meaning he has produced 57% of the team’s league goals.
That context adds another layer to Ekitike’s eventual return. Having previously moved ahead of Isak in the pecking order, he will need to force his way back into Liverpool’s attacking plans once he is fit enough to compete again.
France Picture Has Also Become More Competitive
Ekitike’s injury has also affected his international position. He was only beginning to establish himself with France and had been expected to lead the line at the World Cup in the United States.
However, his extended absence has allowed other attacking options to emerge for Les Bleus. Esteban Lepaul started at centre-forward in France’s win over Belgium, underlining the competition Ekitike will face when he is ready to return.
As a result, the Liverpool forward will have to rebuild his match sharpness and prove himself again on two fronts – at club level with Liverpool and internationally with France.
Rehabilitation Timeline and Key Data
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Player | Hugo Ekitike |
| Age | 24-year-old |
| Injury | Ruptured right Achilles tendon |
| Injury date | April 14 |
| Match | Champions League encounter with Paris Saint-Germain |
| Liverpool output before injury | 17 goals and six assists in 45 appearances |
| Rehab update | Has started jogging |
| Target training return | Around November |
| Potential competitive comeback | December |
| Alexander Isak’s Premier League contribution this season | 4 of Liverpool’s 7 Premier League goals – 57% |
Reims, Clairefontaine and Specialist Support
Ekitike has remained fully committed to his rehabilitation programme. In August, he returned to Reims – his hometown and former club – to perform the ceremonial kick-off for a match involving his former side.
He then spent part of September continuing his recovery work at France’s national training centre in Clairefontaine before returning to Liverpool to carry on his treatment.
More recently, Ekitike travelled to the United States to consult a specialist as he seeks to keep his rehabilitation on track. With jogging now under way, the next stage will be crucial as he attempts to rebuild his fitness and push himself back into the conversation for both Liverpool and France.
