Liverpool’s season went from bad to worse against PSG.

Hugo Ekitiké’s season is over. | Liverpool FC

A miserable Champions League night for Liverpool took another downward turn when Hugo Ekitiké collapsed to the turf late in the first half of the 2–0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

The summer signing was in visible distress as he left the pitch on a stretcher and immediate fears of a serious problem were exacerbated by Arne Slot’s postgame comments.

“Hugo looks really bad but it is difficult to say how bad,” Slot confessed.

“Let’s see. It doesn’t look good, that is clear.”

Center back Ibrahima Konaté was similarly downbeat, adding: “I think it is bad. I don’t know, I have heard many things, I have no word to talk about that because with the World Cup coming it is very, very hard for him and I send him my prayers.”

Here’s everything you need to know about Ekitiké’s injury.

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What Injury Does Ekitiké Have?

There was immediate concern from both sets of players. | Catherine Ivill/AMA/Getty Images

No formal diagnosis has been revealed just yet, but fans were left incredibly worried by the sight of a devastated Ekitiké needing a stretcher to leave the field.

Ekitiké was grabbing his ankle as he sat on the ground, indicating a potential Achilles injury. Problems in that area can range in severity.

Reports in France state that, unfortunately, Ekitiké has ruptured his Achilles tendon, forcing him into an extended period on the sidelines.

When Will Ekitiké Return From Injury?

Ekitiké left the field on a stretcher. | Liverpool FC/Getty Images

Again, a timeline can only be established once the full extent of Ekitiké’s injury is determined.

If Ekitiké has suffered an nasty Achilles injury, the usual recovery timeline sits at around nine months and it would take a superhuman effort for him to be back on the pitch before the end of 2026.

His absence could stretch well into 2027 if any setbacks arise. Realistically, Ekitiké may not be back to his best until the start of the 2027–28 campaign.

What Matches Could Ekitiké Miss Through Injury?

More bad news for Arne Slot. | Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images

With just six games and as many weeks left of the season, Ekitiké’s 2025–26 campaign was accepted to be over before any tests were conducted.

A ruptured Achilles means Ekitiké is staring at nine months on the sidelines at the very least. Not only is his season over, but the Frenchman will also be denied a spot at his first World Cup, which gets underway in just under eight weeks.

Nine months would put Ekitiké’s return at January 2027 but, as Slot has been eager to stress this season with fellow striker Alexander Isak, being back on the pitch is not the same as returning to a pre-injury level.

While Liverpool fans may see Ekitiké back in action early next year, they will have to be incredibly patient while he works his way back to full fitness.

Liverpool’s Remaining Premier League Fixtures

Opponent

Date

Everton (A)

April 19

Crystal Palace (H)

April 25

Man Utd (A)

May 3

Chelsea (H)

May 9

Aston Villa (A)

May 17

Brentford (H)

May 24

Noni Madueke and Bukayo Saka v Wigan Athletic

Mikel Arteta has given his latest update on Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke ahead of our trip to Manchester City in the Premier League.

Bukayo hasn’t featured for us since the Carabao Cup final against Sunday’s opponents, and during his press conference, Mikel ruled the England international out of the contest.

“Bukayo is out, that’s for sure,” he said. “He’s just starting to do some stuff, so let’s see that progression, how quickly we can go through it, and then wait, but at the moment it’s not about that.”

Another option down the right is Madueke, who was forced off in our 0-0 draw against Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg.

On whether the winger would be fit for the trip to Manchester, Mikel said: “We have another training session tomorrow. He didn’t look that bad after the game, and he was quite positive. He’s a player who pushes through pain, so I’m hopeful that he can be available, but we have to wait and see if he’s able to train tomorrow.

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“We’ve had to cope with that [injuries] all season and if you look back at the stages and the players that we’ve missed for big, big, big periods and where we are, it’s not normal where we are.

“But we have coped with that because of our mentality and the solutions that we find, the way the players have stepped up in this moment. And we are where we are. We are still very strong and we will remain the same way.”

Jurrien Timber, Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori also missed the quarter-final second leg against Sporting.

When asked if the trio would be in contention, Mikel said: “We will try again. Some players are quite close, but the turnaround is short, so we will try tomorrow to push everybody, and if they are in good condition, they will be part of us, and if not, they won’t. They haven’t been in the last few weeks, unfortunately.”

Struggling Premier League champions Liverpool will travel to face Merseyside derby rivals Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday, hoping to bolster their chances of qualifying for the Champions League.

Last time out, Arne Slot’s Reds were eliminated from UEFA’s premier club competition at the quarter-final stage by Paris Saint-Germain, losing 2-0 at the Parc des Princes and 2-0 at Anfield on Tuesday.

To make matters worse, Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike suffered an Achilles injury in the first half of this week’s second leg, meaning that responsibility for the team’s attacking output now falls on the shoulders of Alexander Isak, who only recently returned from a four-month layoff.

Read on as Sports Mole rounds up Liverpool’s latest injury and suspension news ahead of their Premier League clash with Everton on Sunday.

GIOVANNI LEONI

Status: Out

Type of injury: ACL

Possible return date: Unknown

Nineteen-year-old centre-back Giovanni Leoni recently stepped up his recovery process by training on grass for the first time since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury on his debut.

The youngster, who was signed from Parma in the summer of 2025, will be raring to go in 2026-27.

WATARU ENDO

Status: Out

Type of injury: Ankle

Possible return date: June 1

Defensive midfielder Wataru Endo started at right-back against Sunderland on February 11, covering for a number of other injuries in the position, only to be stretchered off after suffering a major ankle injury of his own.

The Japan captain’s surgery to fix the problem was successful, and while he will not feature again in 2025-26, Slot has stated that “The plan is for him to be ready in time [for the World Cup].”

CONOR BRADLEY

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

First-choice right-back Conor Bradley suffered a major knee injury against Arsenal on January 8, undergoing successful surgery to repair the issue.

As he recovers and goes through rehabilitation, the 22-year-old may be sidelined into the early stages of the 2026-27 campaign.

HUGO EKITIKE

Status: Out

Type of injury: Achilles

Possible return date: Unknown

Hugo Ekitike ruptured his Achilles in the first half of Liverpool’s defeat against PSG, and will miss the remainder of the campaign.

The French striker will also miss the 2026 World Cup, and while it remains to be seen exactly how long the number 22 will be sidelined, a layoff of at least nine months would not come as a surprise.

ALISSON BECKER

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: May 3 (vs. Manchester United)

Alisson Becker has been out of action for the last five games, adding to his notoriety for being one of the most injury-prone goalkeepers around.

The Reds’ number one was not training with the team ahead of their clash against PSG, and is not expected to feature against Everton. Alisson is likely to be aiming for a comeback against Liverpool’s other rivals – Manchester United.

LIVERPOOL SUSPENSION LIST

Liverpool have no players suspended for this game