Liverpool’s new head coach Andoni Iraola has confirmed Hugo Ekitike will miss a substantial chunk of the season after the forward suffered a long-term injury.
On Monday, the Spaniard held his first press conference since taking charge at Anfield and addressed the club’s injury crisis, singling out Ekitike alongside Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley.
What did Iraola say about Ekitike’s injury?
Andoni Iraola made it clear Ekitike’s recovery timeline remains lengthy. The forward was one of three first-team players flagged as long-term absentees, with the Spaniard stressing the need to find solutions in his absence.
“Some of the very important players are injured,” Iraola said. “We haven’t even started training and already in the cases of Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, long injuries.”
He added: “There’s going to be, especially in Hugo’s case, a period where we’ll be without them and we have to find solutions.”
Why does this matter for Liverpool and Ekitike?
The news lands as Liverpool gear up for pre-season training on Tuesday with a depleted squad. Ekitike’s absence compounds a thin forward line already missing Leoni and Bradley, leaving Iraola to patch together options.
For Ekitike, the setback derails his push to stake a claim under the new manager. The 21-year-old had featured intermittently last term but now faces a race against time to return before the Premier League curtain rises.
What else did Iraola reveal at his first Liverpool presser?
Beyond injuries, Iraola sought to calm transfer fears by insisting Liverpool are working hard to add depth. The club has signed Victor Munoz since June but Iraola hinted at more incomings.
“I know the club is working hard to get those signings and I am trying obviously to help as well,” he said. Fans had grown restless after a quiet window, but Iraola’s words offer a glimmer of hope.
He also opened the door for Harvey Elliott, a player sidelined under Arne Slot, suggesting squad roles may shift under his leadership. Elliott’s future could hinge on how quickly Ekitike and others return.
What happens next for Liverpool and Ekitike?
Liverpool’s pre-season schedule begins on Tuesday with a squad missing key personnel. Iraola must navigate fixtures without Ekitike, Leoni and Bradley while finalising additions.
For Ekitike, the focus shifts to rehab. The club’s medical team will aim to shorten his layoff, but the road back remains unclear. Liverpool’s transfer activity could further shape his route back to the first team.
The Reds kick off training on 15 Jul 2026 with a squad still piecing itself together after a disrupted summer.