Hugo Ekitike Ruled Out with Ruptured Achilles in Liverpool-PSG Champions League Match
Hugo Ekitike sustained a ruptured Achilles during Liverpool's UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Paris Saint-Germain on April 15, 2026. The 23-year-old is expected to be sidelined for at least nine months. Alexander Isak returned to start the match but was substituted at halftime.
espn.comLiverpool forward Hugo Ekitike sustained a ruptured Achilles injury during the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg match against Paris Saint-Germain on April 15, 2026. com reported. Ekitike transferred to Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt for £69 million in the summer of 2025.
He started alongside Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz for the second time in the match against PSG. The trio has shared the pitch for 115 minutes during the 2025-2026 season. Alexander Isak, a 26-year-old Sweden international, returned to Liverpool's starting lineup in the same match after recovering from a fibula fracture sustained in December 2025.
Isak was out of action for 100 days and had played 859 minutes in all competitions for Liverpool this season. He was substituted at halftime by Cody Gakpo after five touches in the first half. Head coach Arne Slot stated before the match that Isak was unlikely to play more than 45 minutes.
Postmatch, Slot said, "He was twice close to a goal and that's why you play a striker of his level. There was one header from a set piece and one great run in behind [Willian] Pacho where he was really close to scoring which was eventually offside. " Isak transferred to Liverpool from Newcastle United on deadline day in September 2025 for £125 million.
In the 2024-2025 season with Newcastle, he played 3,436 minutes and scored 27 goals in all competitions, earning a spot in the PFA Team of the Year. This season, he has scored three goals in all competitions for Liverpool, including two in the Premier League. Liverpool has played 50 games in all competitions during the 2025-2026 season.
Florian Wirtz, who transferred to Liverpool for £100 million in summer 2025, also started alongside Ekitike and Isak in the match against PSG. Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp exited Anfield prior to the current season. Jamie Carragher commented on CBS Sports before the match that Isak was "nowhere near fit" and noted that Mohamed Salah, who scored against Fulham in April 2026, was not playing in the Champions League second leg.
Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Matvei Safonov was in goal during the match. Liverpool’s Alexander Isak had a headed shot on target from Dominik Szoboszlai's set piece and was flagged offside after a run played through by Ryan Gravenberch. Details of Ekitike's injury were shared by Julien Laurens on April 16, 2026.
Story Timeline
5 events- 2026-04-16
Julien Laurens shared details of Hugo Ekitike's ruptured Achilles injury.
1 sourceespn.com - 2026-04-15
Hugo Ekitike sustained a ruptured Achilles and was stretchered off during Liverpool's UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Paris Saint-Germain.
2 sourcesespn.com - 2026-04-15
Alexander Isak started his first game in over four months in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Paris Saint-Germain and was substituted at halftime.
3 sourcesespn.com - 2025-09
Alexander Isak transferred to Liverpool from Newcastle United for £125 million on deadline day.
1 sourceespn.com - 2025-12
Alexander Isak sustained a fibula fracture while scoring against Tottenham Hotspur and was out for 100 days.
2 sourcesespn.com
Potential Impact
- 01
Liverpool will likely face a significant gap in attacking options due to Ekitike's nine-month absence.
- 02
Alexander Isak's fitness and playing time may be carefully managed following his recent return from injury.
- 03
Liverpool's forward line chemistry may be affected given limited minutes shared by key attackers Isak, Ekitike, and Wirtz.
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