Liverpool supporters may have to wait until the new year to see Hugo Ekitike back in action, but Andoni Iraola has provided a small boost by revealing that the striker could yet feature in the final two Champions League games of the opening stage.
Ekitike is currently recovering from a long-term injury, leaving Liverpool without one of their most exciting attacking options as Iraola begins to shape his team.
Given the nature of the injury and the rehabilitation required, there is understandably no desire from Liverpool to rush his return.
However, Iraola has revealed that the club’s medical department has already considered the possibility of Ekitike returning before the Champions League league phase comes to an end.
Speaking about the striker, Iraola explained:
“Hugo, it’s difficult with long-term injuries. It’s still far. We had a meeting with all the medical department to analyse and complete the list of European games and there’s a chance he could play in the last two games of the opening stage but it’s too early to say.”
That is perhaps the most encouraging part of the update.
Liverpool have included Ekitike in their European squad because there is a genuine possibility that he could recover in time to contribute before the opening stage finishes.
Iraola stressed that nothing is guaranteed, but added:
“We have put him there as there’s a hope and a realistic chance he could play.”
For Liverpool, that would be a significant boost.
The club have already had to adapt to Ekitike’s absence, with Alexander Isak now shouldering much of the responsibility in the central striker role. Isak has started to find his rhythm under Iraola, scoring twice against Ipswich, while Cody Gakpo has also provided an important attacking outlet.
But Ekitike offers something different.
His movement, pace, ability to link play and willingness to press from the front fit perfectly with the energetic style Iraola wants Liverpool to develop.
That makes the possibility of having him available for the latter stages of the Champions League league phase particularly intriguing.
Liverpool have made a strong start to life under Iraola, including a dramatic 2-1 victory over Atlético Madrid in their first European game of the campaign.
The priority with Ekitike, though, has to be getting him completely right rather than getting him back quickly.
There is little point taking unnecessary risks with a long-term injury when Liverpool have a squad capable of coping with his absence.
If Ekitike can return around the turn of the year as expected, Liverpool will already have an exciting attacking option waiting to be unleashed.
But if his rehabilitation progresses faster than expected, there is now at least a realistic possibility that supporters could get an earlier glimpse of him in Iraola’s Liverpool.
For now, there is no reason to get carried away.
But the fact Liverpool’s medical team has considered those final two Champions League fixtures — and that Iraola describes a return as a “realistic chance” — gives supporters something to look forward to.
Hugo Ekitike isn’t back yet.
But the countdown may have quietly begun.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
Leave a Reply