Hugo Ekitike advances Achilles recovery, eyes 2027 comeback
Hugo Ekitike took a big step forward on 12 July 2026, adding ball‑handling drills to his Achilles tendon rehab after rupturing the tendon in Liverpool’s 2‑0 Champions League loss to Paris Saint‑Germain in April. The French forward’s Instagram video shows him juggling and passing without crutches, signalling a shift from pure physiotherapy to football‑specific work.
Ekitike’s setback came on 17 April 2024, when he collided with PSG defender Marquinhos during a fast‑break, tearing his Achilles and ending his debut season at Anfield. The rupture forced him out of Liverpool’s remaining Premier League fixtures and ruled him out of France’s 2026 World Cup squad. Standard recovery timelines sit around nine months, pushing a realistic return into the 2027 campaign.
Physiotherapist Berengar Buschmann, based in the United States, posted a short clip on Instagram showing Ekitike performing basic ball juggling while standing on one leg, then feeding the ball back to Buschmann with and without crutches. The footage also captures the striker doing Achilles‑specific exercises in a heated pool, a method aimed at restoring strength without stressing the tendon. These drills mark a departure from the earlier phase that focused solely on low‑impact gym work.
French daily L'Equipe hinted last month that Liverpool might see Ekitike on the pitch for the Boxing Day fixture against Hull City on 26 December 2026. That match will be followed by a clash with Aston Villa a few days later. Yet, medical staff caution that a full‑match debut before 2027 remains unlikely, as the tendon still needs to bear the rigours of sprinting and cutting.
Jurgen Klopp’s squad has adapted to Ekitike’s absence, with Darwin Núñez and Mohamed Salah sharing the front‑line duties. If the Frenchman can re‑enter training soon, Liverpool will have an extra attacking option for the busy winter schedule, potentially easing the load on the existing forwards. The club appears willing to let the recovery unfold at its own pace, avoiding any rush that could jeopardise the long‑term outcome.
The next milestone will be a supervised training session on Liverpool’s pitch, likely in early August, where Ekitike can test his sprint speed and shooting accuracy under match‑like conditions. Success there could lead to a cameo in a cup tie before the league resumes. For now, fans can watch his progress via Buschmann’s social updates, which will continue to showcase incremental gains.
Ekitike’s recovery timeline influences both Liverpool’s transfer strategy and France’s national team plans. A fit striker before the 2027 season could attract interest from other top clubs, while France will monitor his fitness ahead of the next international window. The striker’s determination, evident in the July video, suggests he’s committed to returning stronger.
The July 12 update proves that Hugo Ekitike is no longer confined to static exercises; he’s re‑introducing football movements into his rehab. While a full return before the end of 2026 is still doubtful, the progress hints at a possible involvement in Liverpool’s winter fixtures, setting the stage for a 2027 comeback.