Hugo Ekitike is reportedly targeting a return to training in November as he continues his recovery from the Achilles rupture that ended his season and World Cup dream in April. The Liverpool striker has been working diligently, including two Trans-Atlantic trips with specialists, to get back on the pitch.
Rehabilitation journey
In June, just weeks after the injury, Ekitike flew to the West Coast of America to step up his rehabilitation. He enlisted his personal physiotherapist Berengar Buschmann, who he worked with during his time at Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany. Buschmann met with Liverpool's medical staff at the AXA Training Centre earlier this year to establish a long-term recovery plan.
The process in the United States included basic ball juggling, strength and conditioning work, and weight-bearing exercises, as Ekitike aimed to shorten his recovery time under new head coach Andoni Iraola.
Recovery timeline
Dr Nicolas Baudrier, a Paris-based orthopedist, estimated shortly after the injury during a Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain in April: "In the best-case scenario for a professional player, surgery means nine months until he (Ekitike) can return to the field." Reports in France earlier this year suggested Ekitike had earmarked December 26 for a comeback, as reported by L'Equipe.
Ekitike posted on social media after the setback: "It's hard, maybe even unfair...but I am grateful this is happening to me here among you. I'm not alone. Your strength and your love will be my driving force. See you again soon, Anfield."
Liverpool have avoided placing a definitive timescale on the recovery, as is standard for such long-term injuries. However, his determination is said to have impressed people behind the scenes at the AXA Training Centre since players reconvened in July.
Recent progress and squad inclusion
Ekitike has recently been back in the United States, spending time in New York and working with a specialist. It is claimed he can now jog after spending much of the last few months on crutches. He was named in Liverpool's 25-man Champions League squad, which saw Wataru Endo and Federico Chiesa excluded. The Reds' eight-game group phase runs until January 27, when they host French side Lens, suggesting the striker might return before then.
Potential role upon return
Questions remain about where Ekitike will play when fully fit, as he is considered too good to sit in reserve as deputy to Alexander Isak. Iraola's willingness to play wide players across both flanks opens up possibilities for Ekitike's deployment. Cody Gakpo has been productive on both sides, while Rio Ngumoha and Victor Munoz have also been tried on both wings.
Liverpool worked on Ekitike's heading and hold-up play last season to develop him into a more rounded No. 9, but he is also capable of being decisive in wide areas. Ekitike and Isak were rarely available together last season, starting together just three times. The pair have played together with Florian Wirtz for just 115 minutes, a statistic lamented behind the scenes at Liverpool last season.
It will be some time before that high-profile trio can add to that figure, but Ekitike appears to be seeing a sliver of light at the end of a long, dark tunnel.
