Liverpool star reminds supporters why they should be excited for his return

For the Anfield faithful, April 14th will long be remembered as a day of compounding misery. It was a date that dealt a devastating double blow to the club’s seasonal ambitions, beginning on the pitch and culminating months later in the history books.

The immediate heartbreak came under the bright lights of the Champions League quarterfinals. Facing off against a relentless Paris Saint-Germain side, the Reds fought valiantly but ultimately saw their European dreams shattered. Following a grueling 3–2 aggregate defeat across the two legs, Liverpool was officially eliminated from Europe's elite competition.

Adding insult to injury, the sting of that exit only grew sharper as the tournament progressed. The formidable Parisian squad didn't just capitalise on knocking the Reds out; they rode that momentum all the way to the final to lift the trophy. By doing so, PSG secured their status as back-to-back Champions League winners.

That fixture also witnessed the Reds most in-form striker Hugo Ekitike suffer an Achilles tendon rupture before being substituted in the 31st minute. Under former head coach Arne Slot allowing their French opposition a clean sheet that day, supporters were left to wonder what the result could have been had their own Frenchman played the full 90 against his former club.

With Alexander Isak only just returning from a fractured ankle and fibula that kept him out for 101 days, striker duties for the rest of the season were rotated heavily between him and a largely inconsistent Cody Gakpo.

It is a clip that has quickly done the rounds on X.

A recent social media post on Hugo Ekitike’s Snapchat story has captured the attention of supporters online, with the forward sharing a throwback video of a piece of training-ground magic.

The footage shows the Frenchman executing a superb piece of technique, curling a pinpoint free kick over the defensive wall and into the top corner.

However, it was the accompanying caption that carried a distinctly nostalgic tone. It is perhaps no surprise given the current landscape, with the striker forced to sit out a massive summer of international football and missing out the first few month of the new 2026/27 campaign.

With the Reds now getting stuck into pre-season under new manager Andoni Iraola, Ekitike must be desperate to get back on the grass and soak up the fresh, positive atmosphere at the club. Reminded of just how talented the 24-year-old is, supporters will be wishing for exactly the same thing.

Before his injury, Ekitike had enjoyed an impressive debut season on Merseyside, scoring 17 goals and adding 6 assists in 45 games across all competitions. In a Liverpool side where several experienced players struggled to fire, the Frenchman became the focal point of Slot's attack.

The former Frankfurt forward also stood out for his playing style, with rare close control for a player of 6'3" with genuine aerial threat. He's the complete modern striker: pace and movement to stretch defences, paired with the composure to both finish and create chances.

Players who build reputations in the Bundesliga haven't always translated that form to the Premier League. Timo Werner joined Chelsea after racking up 46 goal contributions in 45 games for RB Leipzig, only to flop in England and eventually return to Germany. Jadon Sancho followed a similar path with 39 goal contributions in 44 games in his final Dortmund season, followed by just 18 in 79 appearances across two seasons at Manchester United.

The pattern suggests Bundesliga stars accustomed to more space and less defensive pressure often struggle to adjust to England's faster, more physical game.

Ekitike, though, adapted almost immediately after his move last summer. At 24, supporters will hope he emerges from this injury on the same upward trajectory, without too long a delay to that adaptation.

The video is a timely reminder of just how important Ekitike is to Liverpool heading into the new season, even with the striker expected to miss out until at least January.

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