Why Hugo Ekitike is in Liverpool’s pre-season squad despite long-term injury

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Liverpool’s 2026 pre-season tour of the USA kicks off later this week, and Hugo Ekitike has been named in the initial 31-man squad.

The Frenchman had an impressive start to life at Anfield following a big-money move from Eintracht Frankfurt, but his 2025/26 campaign was cut short when he picked up an injury against PSG in the Champions League in April.

Ekitike is not expected to return until December 2026 at the earliest, but he has been named in Liverpool’s latest squad regardless so he can travel with the team and take part in rehab in the United States.

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Hugo Ekitike among Liverpool players undergoing rehab in the United States

The Reds confirmed their travelling squad on Monday, and there were a number of notable names missing.

Players like Florian Wirtz and Ryan Gravenberch are absent, but they are expected to feature later in the tour of the US after competing at the World Cup.

Similarly, after both Spain and Argentina reached the final of this summer’s tournament, FIFA rules mean that Victor Munoz and Alexis Mac Allister must spend at least 21 days on holiday, so they cannot return to the club until August 10.

This will leave Andoni Iraola short of options for the upcoming match with Sunderland, but it should give the Spaniard a chance to see some young players in action.

Ekitike, meanwhile, is one of three players who are heading to the United States simply to continue rehabbing.

Elsewhere, Conor Bradley was injured against Arsenal earlier this year, and he is part of the squad this month despite not being fit enough to feature.

Giovanni Leoni, who played just one game in the 2025/26 season, is also set to undergo rehab during Liverpool’s pre-season tour as he works his way back to match fitness.

Leoni’s inability to play, coupled with Virgil van Dijk competing at the World Cup, means Joe Gomez and new signing Jeremy Jacquet will be the only fit, senior centre-backs at the start of the tour.