Overview
- Arne Slot said Friday the operation on Ekitike’s ruptured right Achilles went well and that rehab will be a long, step‑by‑step process with no return date set.
- Medical reporting puts a typical recovery at eight to ten months, which would rule the 23‑year‑old out of the 2026 World Cup and much of next season.
- Liverpool are reworking their forward options, leaning on Alexander Isak’s return to fitness and giving academy striker Will Wright time with the first team.
- Sports physiotherapist Ben Warburton said Ekitike’s age supports a good recovery but stressed the mental battle and the gap between being cleared to play and being sharp enough to play well.
- Ekitike shared an AI-made ‘instant comeback’ clip on Instagram, and Slot called it unrealistic as he reiterated that the striker faces a careful, months-long rebuild.