Liverpool fans are excitedly waiting for the beginning of pre-season this July, with another new era set to start on Merseyside.
Andoni Iraola and his backroom staff should be itching to get started after the summer break, and though a number of first-team players will return late from the World Cup, plenty will still be there from day one.
One who Iraola would no doubt love to be able to call on is Hugo Ekitike, but with the Frenchman out for the foreseeable future with an Achilles rupture, it may be some time until coach and player can work together. Nevertheless, though a return is a way off still, Liverpool have now been given a positive update on Ekitike and his recovery.
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Ekitike takes step forward in his recovery process
Early estimates put Ekitike’s likely return as coming in January at the soonest, but given the nature of his injury, he is unlikely to be up to speed until the 2027/28 campaign.
Though that sounds like a long way off, journalist Paul Gorst says the 23-year-old’s regime is going well, as he works with a German physiotherapist in Los Angeles.
“Good news for Liverpool with Hugo Ekitike taking steps forward in his recovery from a ruptured Achilles suffered in April,” Gorst posted on X.
“He has been working with German physiotherapist Berengar Buschmann in Los Angeles.”

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Buschmann shared a video on his Instagram account showing the work being put in by Ekitike during their time together.
In some positive signs, the Frenchman even engages in some light passing practice, with plenty of focus on building up the Achilles both in the gym and in the pool.
It may be a while before we get a firm update on when Ekitike is expected back, and he certainly will not be there for pre-season, but things look to be moving in a good direction and that, for now, is the best news Liverpool fans can hope for.
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