Liverpool confirm Ekitike injury as he misses the rest of the season and World Cup

Liverpool confirm Ekitike injury as he misses the rest of the season and World Cup

Liverpool have confirmed the injury to striker Hugo Ekitike this week as he begins the steps to recovery.

Ekitike left the pitch on a stretcher and in tears after just 22 minutes of the quarterfinal second leg against Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield on Tuesday night.

The Frenchman went for scans on Wednesday and now the club have confirmed the extent of the situation which is as reports suggested, a season ending injury.

“Scans on the issue have subsequently confirmed a rupture of the Achilles tendon.

“Ekitike will therefore be sidelined for the remaining weeks of the club season and unable to participate at this summer's World Cup with France.

“Further updates will be provided at the appropriate time, with Hugo receiving the full support of everyone at LFC.”

The striker made his France debut last September and was set to be part of Didier Deschamps' squad for this summer's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

In a statement, Deschamps stated that Ekitike will be a huge loss as he seeks to find a striker who can replace him ahead of this summer.

"Hugo suffered a serious injury on Tuesday evening against PSG. The severity of his injury will unfortunately prevent him from finishing the season with Liverpool and participating in the World Cup.

“Hugo is one of the dozen young players who have made their debuts with the national team in recent months. He had perfectly integrated into the group, both on the pitch and off it.

"But I wanted to express all my support to him, as well as that of the entire staff. We know he'll be fully behind the France team, and we're all thinking of him very strongly."

Ekitike has scored 19 goals for Liverpool and France this season after signing from Eintracht Frankfurt for 379m last summer. The void left by him will be filled by Alexander Isak, who recently returned from injury himself.