Journalist confirms when Hugo Ekitike could return from injury

Journalist confirms when Hugo Ekitike could return from injury Hugo Ekitike Targets Boxing Day Liverpool Return After Achilles Injury Liverpool could receive a significant attacking boost over the Christmas period, with Hugo Ekitike reportedly targeting Boxing Day for his return from the ruptured Achilles tendon that ended his outstanding debut season. Ekitike has been absent since suffering the injury against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals in April. It was a cruel conclusion to a campaign in which the French forward had quickly established himself as one of Liverpool’s most important attacking players. Now his rehabilitation is progressing, and there appears to be a date circled on the calendar. Boxing Day Target Offers Liverpool Hope According to the Liverpool Echo’s Ian Doyle , Ekitike “has himself set a comeback date of Boxing Day,” although there remains understandable caution surrounding exactly when supporters might see him performing at his previous level. Doyle added that “the severity of his Achilles injury suggests it won’t be until next season that he is properly back and firing fully.” That distinction matters. Returning to training and becoming available for selection are major milestones, but recovering the acceleration, sharpness and confidence required to perform at Premier League level represents another challenge entirely. Photo: IMAGO Ekitike Recovery Cannot Be Rushed Ekitike underwent surgery in April after rupturing his Achilles, with former Liverpool head coach Arne Slot describing the operation as “an important step” in his recovery. The 24-year-old subsequently spent part of the summer working with physiotherapist Berengar Buschmann in Los Angeles before continuing his rehabilitation at Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre. Dr Andrew J. Elliott, who works alongside surgeon Dr Martin O’Malley, has indicated that Ekitike could progress towards using an anti-gravity treadmill for walking and light jogging. There is good reason for Liverpool to remain cautious. Elliott warned that accelerating the process unnecessarily could result in “permanent weakness or the risk of a re-rupture.” For Liverpool, protecting the long-term future of a £79 million investment has to take priority. Liverpool Already Know Ekitike’s Importance What makes Ekitike’s absence particularly frustrating is how quickly he had adapted following his arrival from Eintracht Frankfurt. By April, he had scored 17 goals during his debut Liverpool campaign and had also forced his way into the senior France picture, scoring against Brazil. Those numbers demonstrated why Liverpool invested so heavily in him. His mobility, ability to attack space and willingness to link play gave Liverpool a versatile presence through the middle. His return could eventually provide Andoni Iraola with another major attacking weapon. January Could Provide More Realistic Benchmark Boxing Day is an encouraging target, but Liverpool cannot afford to build expectations around one specific date. Achilles injuries are notoriously difficult, and previous cases demonstrate how dramatically recovery times can differ. Presnel Kimpembe required two years before returning after his rupture, while Cheick Doucoure returned considerably sooner but has subsequently struggled for regular minutes. Ekitike will understandably want to get back as quickly as possible. Liverpool’s responsibility is to ensure he comes back once. If Boxing Day brings the first sight of him in a Liverpool squad again, it would represent a considerable milestone. The bigger objective will be getting the explosive, confident striker who scored 17 goals before injury back onto the pitch during 2027.