Liverpool fans held their breath when Hugo Ekitike was forced off during the Champions League meeting with Galatasaray, but early signs suggest the setback may not be as serious as first feared.
The 23-year-old forward pulled up while stretching to control a misplaced pass, raising immediate concerns about a potential hamstring injury. However, according to reports, Ekitike himself is “confident” the issue was only cramp rather than a major muscular problem.
Manager Arne Slot confirmed the French striker “felt something” during the incident, with further assessments scheduled to determine the full extent. Encouragingly, France boss Didier Deschamps has still included him in the national squad for their upcoming fixtures against Azerbaijan and Iceland.
The timing of the international break could work in Liverpool’s favour, offering Ekitike extra recovery time without missing many key fixtures. The Reds return to Premier League action with a tough trip to Chelsea, followed by a clash with fierce rivals Manchester United.
For now, Liverpool remain optimistic that their summer signing has avoided anything long-term, with the player’s own confidence adding to hopes of a swift return.
