Liverpool legend's 'career changed' after suffering same injury as Hugo Ekitike

Hugo Ekitike faces a long spell on the sidelines after suffering a cruel injury for Liverpool against Paris Saint-Germain, with the striker having ruptured his Achilles tendon

Hugo Ekitike is facing a long lay-off after rupturing his Achilles tendon(Image: Getty Images)

Hugo Ekitike’s injury is the cruelest of blows at the end of what has been such an impressive first season for Liverpool’s new striker.

Having been expected to have to fight for his place in the side with Alexander Isak last summer, the 23-year-old has now made himself practically undroppable, having emerged as one of the players of the season.

It’s a campaign that has ended all too early though after his devastating blow against Paris Saint-Germain, having been stretchered off during the Champions League quarter-final at Anfield this week, and a quick return looks to be off the cards already.

Liverpool has confirmed the striker ruptured his Achilles tendon, which means he will not only miss the rest of the season and this summer’s World Cup, but he will also remain out for the start of the 2025/26 campaign.

An exact date for his return is difficult to pinpoint at this early stage. Other players, like David Beckham, managed to make comebacks after about six months out after suffering the same injury, but at the other end of the scale, former PSG defender Presnel Kimpembe spent two years out of action.

And once Ekitike does return, he may well find his injury has a lasting effect on him, as Liverpool legend John Barnes would attest to.

Liverpool legend John Barnes suffered the same injury as Hugo Ekitike(Image: Getty Images)

Barnes ruptured his Achilles tendon while playing for England in June 1992, and remained out until November that same year, but the impact of the injury lasted much longer.

“This is from when I was 28 years old. My career changed unfortunately,” Barnes told LFC History.

“Because I had the experience of playing in different positions and understanding I didn’t really think about it. I was just so happy to be back playing, in fact, the doctor said after I had retired that he thought I wouldn’t play again.

“Unfortunately I had just been relying on my speed, you think of Mark Lawrenson, who ruptured his Achilles tendon and never played again and other players, Teddy Sheringham who snapped his Achilles tendon but it didn’t affect him because he was slow to begin with!

“He didn’t use his speed. But for a player like me who was known for being a fast, aggressive player with the ball and relying on speed you would think that would have hurt my career.

“Which it did in the perception of people thinking he’s not doing the same things that he did but it made me play for still another seven years in Liverpool at the highest level not doing what I did before but still playing for Liverpool. I was fortunate that I was able to drop into midfield and play a different role.”

Given he is five years younger than Barnes when he picked up the same injury, Ekitike will be hoping he can pick up where he left off with his Liverpool career when he does eventually return, having been set for a big role in his first ever World Cup this summer.

"It’s hard, maybe even unfair… but I’m grateful this is happening to me here, among you," Ekitike posted this week. "I’m not alone. Your strength and your love will be my driving force. See you again soon, Anfield."