Liverpool includes injured Hugo Ekitike in Champions League squad list
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 11, 2026, 1:03 PM
Last updated Sep 11, 2026
Liverpool has named Hugo Ekitike in its Champions League squad despite the forward currently recovering from an Achilles injury sustained in April. The club medical staff and manager Iraola believe there is a realistic chance Ekitike could participate during the final two matches of the league phase in January. The updated tournament format extends the group stage into the new year, which provides a longer window for the player to regain fitness. Iraola confirmed that while Ekitike remains far from training, the decision was made to ensure he is available for the closing fixtures. Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley are also included as part of the strategy to bolster options for the latter portion of the league schedule. Ekitike would have been unable to join the squad later if he were not registered now, according to competition rules.
- •Hugo Ekitike remains sidelined with an Achilles injury sustained in April.
- •Manager Iraola targets a return to training for Ekitike before the end of the year.
- •Liverpool faces Inter Milan and Lens in the new year for the final group stage matches.
- •Early registration ensures Ekitike is eligible to play if he recovers in time for January fixtures.
- 1:03 PMYahoo Sports — Why is Ekitike in Liverpool's Champions league squad?
"Liverpool's inclusion of the injured Hugo Ekitike in their Champions League squad has been the subject of several questions sent in via our Ask Me Anything form for the Reds. Like Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley, there is hope that Ekitike will be on course to play a role later in the league phase of the Champions League. Ekitike's return date from the Achilles injury he sustained in April is unclear but the France forward is aiming to return to training before the end of the year.
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