Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has provided an encouraging update on the recovery of striker Hugo Ekitike, revealing that there is a “reasonable chance” the Frenchman could return to the pitch by January.
The 23-year-old forward has been sidelined since April after suffering a devastating Achilles tendon rupture during a Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield. The injury not only brought his impressive debut campaign for the Reds to a premature halt but also forced him to miss his opportunity to represent France on the world stage.
Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s upcoming Premier League fixture against Fulham, Iraola offered a cautious but optimistic timeline for the player’s return. While acknowledging that Ekitike is still in the middle of a rigorous rehabilitation process, the manager highlighted the final two matches of the Champions League League Phase as a potential target for his comeback.
“It is difficult with long-term injuries. He is still far away from returning,” Iraola admitted during his pre-match press conference. “However, we had a meeting with the medical department, and there is a reasonable chance that he could help us in the last two games of the group stages, though it is still very early. There is a big part of the rehab still to go, but we have included him in the squad list because there is hope and a realistic chance he could be available in January.”
The return of Ekitike would be a massive boost for the Reds’ offensive options. In his debut season following a high-profile move from Eintracht Frankfurt, Ekitike was a vital component of the Liverpool attack, contributing 17 goals and six assists across 45 appearances. His clinical presence proved essential to the team’s rhythm, and his absence has left a notable void that the club has been forced to navigate over the past several months.
Liverpool are scheduled to play their final two Champions League League Phase matches in January: an away trip to face Inter Milan on Tuesday, January 19, followed by a home encounter against Lens at Anfield on Wednesday, January 27.
Should Ekitike make his return during this period, Iraola will be tasked with carefully managing the striker’s minutes to ensure a full recovery. Upon regaining match fitness, the Frenchman is expected to rotate with Alexander Isak as the team’s primary focal point, competing for minutes alongside a star-studded attacking cohort that includes Bradley Barcola, Cody Gakpo, and Florian Wirtz.
For now, the Liverpool faithful remain hopeful that the forward can successfully navigate the final stages of his recovery, providing a much-needed lift as the Reds look to push for silverware in the second half of the season.
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