Liverpool’s French striker Huge Ekitike was carried off on a stretcher during the first half of the Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield on Tuesday night.
Hugo Ekitike will miss the rest of Liverpool’s season due to injury.
Manager Didier Deschamps has confirmed that Hugo Ekitike, who suffered an injury in Liverpool’s defeat to PSG, will not be included in France’s squad for this summer’s World Cup. The French side ran out 2-0 winners at Anfield in the Champions League, with Ekitike leading the Reds’ front.
However, the French forward went down with a suspected Achilles injury in the 27th minute and was replaced by Mohamed Salah just after the half-hour mark. Liverpool manager Arne Slott admitted the injury was serious, while Deschamps confirmed Ekitike’s season was over.
Deschamps said in a statement: “Hugo sustained a serious injury in the game against PSG on Tuesday night. Unfortunately, due to the severity of his injury, he will not be able to finish the season at Liverpool and take part in the World Cup.”
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“Ugo is one of more than a dozen young players who have made their national team debut in recent months. He has integrated perfectly into the team both on and off the pitch.
“This injury is a big blow not only for him but also for the French national team. His disappointment is immeasurable. I am sure Hugo will return to his top form.”
“However, I wanted to express my full support to him and the entire staff. We know he will give his full support to the French team and we all feel very strongly about him.”
Hugo Ekitike’s season has come to an end after he was injured in Liverpool’s defeat to PSG.
Ekitike will no longer be involved in France’s World Cup activities in the United States, Mexico and Canda, with Deschamps’ team aiming to regain the title after winning the 2018 World Cup and losing to Argentina in Qatar in 2022.
The exact duration of the Frenchman’s injury is unknown and Liverpool have yet to comment on the setback, but reports suggest he could be sidelined until 2027 at the latest.
Slott said in an interview with Amazon Prime: “(He wasn’t feeling very well). Everyone could see that he didn’t look good and he didn’t look good. Everyone could see that he didn’t look good. In the second half, he went home and I didn’t see him.”
“It also seems like we’ve lost players a lot this season, so it’s very difficult for him because the last thing you want to do is get injured at this stage of the season.”
Fellow France international Ibrahima Konate said: “I’m very sad for him and I hope he comes back. I don’t think it’s good, but I don’t know.”
“I’ve heard a lot of things. It’s a very difficult situation for him at the moment because there’s a World Cup this summer and a lot of things going on. And I’m keeping him in my prayers.”
