Great news, Liverpool 'positive' star will join up with them soon

Liverpool are reportedly feeling ‘positive’ that they’ll have one star in their squad before long.

Liverpool are preparing for the new season but a large part of that process is figuring out who will stay, as much as figuring out who to sign. The Reds have already said goodbye to some major stars ahead of the new campaign.

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And then there are the injury issues. Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni all suffered awful ends to their respective seasons. Even Jeremy Jacquet, a confirmed signing from Rennes has undergone shoulder surgery.

It’s unknown at this point when the quartet will be back to their best. Some may not reemerge until 2027.

But it sounds as though things are moving well for Ekitike. L’Equipe reports that Liverpool are ‘positive’ on the player and that he may not miss as big a chunk of next season as first thought.

We were under the impression that the striker would be out until 2027 at the very least. The report claims that Liverpool are actually targeting Boxing Day instead, feeling Ekitike could be training as early as the Autumn.

That would be a massive boost for Liverpool, potentially altering their transfer plans. They’ll almost certainly want to sign a striker as things stand, with Alexander Isak the only recognised no.9 in the squad.

But if Ekitike only misses five months? That changes things. Liverpool may fancy banking on the Frenchman to still make an impact next season.

Hugo Ekitike: Situation Summary

Liverpool Career and Performance

As of 16 June 2026, Hugo Ekitike is a 23-year-old forward for Liverpool FC. Following a highly anticipated £69 million transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt in July 2025, the French attacker quickly established himself as a vital fluid pivot in Arne Slot's system. He enjoyed an impressive debut season on Merseyside, registering 45 appearances across all competitions while scoring 17 goals and providing six assists. His clinical finishing and tactical maturity helped Liverpool secure a Premier League title and navigate a deep run in the UEFA Champions League. However, his breakout campaign was cut short in mid-April 2026 after he suffered a severe ruptured Achilles tendon.

International Status and World Cup Involvement

Ekitike is a senior France international, having made his senior debut for Les Bleus in September 2025. Due to his devastating Achilles injury, which required surgery, he was completely ruled out of Didier Deschamps' final 26-man squad for the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. While his international teammates prepare for their group stage matches on the American Eastern seaboard, Ekitike remains sidelined from action. He is currently focused on an extensive rehabilitation program in Europe and is targeting a competitive first-team return for Liverpool's traditional festive fixtures on Boxing Day.