By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Premier League defending champions Liverpool have confirmed that striker Hugo Ekitike has sustained a “serious” Achilles injury and will miss the rest of the season and the World Cup with France.
In a statement on Thursday, Liverpool did not give a timeline for the recovery.
“Scans on the issue have subsequently confirmed a rupture of Achilles tendon,” the club said. 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.”
On Wednesday night, France manager Didier Deschamps said in a statement published by the French Football Federation that Ekitike was out of this summer’s tournament in the US, Mexico and Canada.
He said: “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. This injury is a huge blow for him, of course, but also for the France team.
“His disappointment is immense. Hugo will regain his top form, I’m convinced of 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 £79m last summer.
His injury comes at a crucial time as Liverpool aim to secure a place in next season’s Champions League. They sit fifth in the Premier League, three points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa and four points ahead of Chelsea.