An injury specialist has shared an update on how long Hugo Ekitike may be sidelined after he was forced off “in tears” during Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Brighton on Saturday.
The French forward, widely regarded as one of the top strikers in form right now, suffered an upper-leg problem early in the game at the AMEX Stadium. The issue arose following a challenge with former Liverpool midfielder James Milner, leaving the 23-year-old struggling to get back up. Although he attempted to continue after receiving treatment, he soon went down again and was replaced by Curtis Jones before halftime.
Ekitike’s injury adds to Arne Slot’s growing concerns, with Alisson Becker already ruled out of Brazil’s upcoming internationals and Mohamed Salah recently forced off in the 4-0 Champions League win over Galatasaray.
After reviewing the incident, Physio Scout explained on X that the injury likely resulted from contact to the outside of Ekitike’s hip, which typically causes a painful contusion—often referred to as a cork or hip pointer. While initially uncomfortable, such injuries usually settle quickly, with an expected recovery time of under a week.
Overall, there is optimism that Ekitike’s setback is not as serious as first feared, especially considering his hopes of making France’s World Cup squad this summer. However, the incident summed up a difficult outing for Slot’s side, who were trailing 2-1 with 15 minutes remaining as they pushed for a top-five finish.
On a more positive note, Slot provided a major fitness boost with news that record signing Alexander Isak is closing in on a return from a long-term leg fracture. The Swedish striker is expected to be included in Liverpool’s Champions League squad for their upcoming clash with Paris Saint-Germain on April 8 and 14, adding competition for the number nine role
