Hugo Ekitike Nears Liverpool Return from Achilles Injury

Hugo Ekitike is closing in on a return to action for Liverpool, sharing promising footage of his recovery from a ruptured Achilles tendon. The French forward, who has been sidelined since April, is also credited with playing a part in convincing his compatriot Bradley Barcola to join the Reds this summer, setting up a future partnership at Anfield.

How close is Hugo Ekitike to a Liverpool return?

Ekitike suffered a heart breaking injury during a Champions League quarter final second leg against Paris Saint Germain on April 14. He went down off the ball just 31 minutes into the match at Anfield, which Liverpool lost 2-0, exiting the competition 4-0 on aggregate. The 24 year old was subsequently ruled out for a sustained period, missing the World Cup over the summer. His recent social media activity, however, suggests progress. He shared a Snapchat clip of himself keeping a football up against a wall using both feet, captioning it simply 'warm up.' This visual update is a significant step for an athlete recovering from such a serious injury.

What role did Ekitike play in Liverpool's summer transfer business?

While sidelined, Ekitike became an unofficial recruiter for manager Andoni Iraola. New signing Bradley Barcola, who joined from PSG, revealed that Ekitike was a persistent voice in his ear. "I was able to speak with Hugo, since I knew him from the France team and from my former club," Barcola said in his first Liverpool interview. "He was waiting for one thing: for me to sign this contract, and he often messaged me to ask whether I was coming and whether it was progressing." Ekitike also reacted to the official transfer announcement on Instagram, indicating he had been anticipating the move for weeks. The two forwards briefly crossed paths at PSG in 2023 and later with the French national team starting in September 2025.

Where does Ekitike fit into Liverpool's current injury picture?

The broader Liverpool squad is still dealing with several absences as they handle the early season. The club's most recent win was a 2-0 victory at Ipswich Town on September 6, with Alexander Isak scoring both goals. Defender Joe Gomez is the closest to a return from a muscle injury and could be back for the Fulham fixture on September 12. Others like Federico Chiesa are looking at an October return. Ekitike's specific timeline remains less defined, but his return would provide a major boost to Liverpool's attacking options, offering versatility and complementing Isak and the new arrival Barcola. Fans can track the team's availability on our [injuries](/injuries) page.

What is the outlook for Liverpool's attack with Ekitike and Barcola?

The potential link up between Ekitike and Barcola has excited supporters. Ekitike himself added fuel to that fire by liking an Instagram post from the page Rising Ballers that suggested the trio of him, Isak, and Barcola would 'tear up the Premier League' once he is fit. His return would give Andoni Iraola a wealth of attacking talent to choose from as Liverpool aim to improve on a slow start to the campaign. The manager has already made several decisive selection calls, and integrating a fit Ekitike will be a welcome challenge.

• Hugo Ekitike sustained a ruptured Achilles tendon against PSG on April 14, 2026.
• He shared training footage on Snapchat, indicating his rehabilitation is advancing.
• Ekitike actively messaged Bradley Barcola to encourage his transfer to Liverpool.
• His return would add depth to an attack currently led by Alexander Isak.