Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike could face a nine month lay-off following the injury he sustained against Paris Saint-Germain, according to a medical expert.
The 23-year-old went down unchallenged after appearing to slip on the greasy surface at Anfield during the Reds’ Champions League quarter-final second leg against PSG, which Liverpool lost 4-0 on aggregate.
Ekitike attempts to get back to his feet but failed before he was eventually stretchered off by medical personnel.
A medical expert has now claim there is “a 90 per cent chance” the Liverpool striker has ruptured his Achilles tendon.
In an interview with French outlet L’Equipe, Dr. Nicolas Baudrier has been speaking about the injury Ekitike suffered. And based on images of the issue, he believes Ekitike has ruptured his Achilles and that his chances of going to the World Cup with France “are over”.
“If it’s indeed what we suspect, namely an Achilles tendon injury, it doesn’t happen during contact with an opponent. It’s either a change of direction or during a jump,” he explained.
“The player describes it as a ‘bolt from the blue,’ as if he were being tackled. We saw it with Ekitike, who looked behind him to see if he’d been hit. He felt like he’d been tackled, but there was no one behind him. This really points to an Achilles tendon injury.”
Hugo Ekitike lies injured during Liverpool’s loss to Paris Saint-Germain. (Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images)
He continued: “Partial ruptures are practically unheard of. When there’s a rupture, it’s complete. Judging by the images, it can’t be much else. He got up twice, but he couldn’t walk. I objectively think he has a ruptured Achilles tendon.
“He’ll need surgery. In the best-case scenario for a professional player, surgery means nine months to get back on the field. If it is indeed a ruptured Achilles tendon, then the World Cup is over for him.”
Ekitike has been an important figure in the Liverpool squad since he joined last summer, but he’s now likely to miss out of France adventure at the World Cup.
