Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike ruled out of World Cup after confirmed ruptured Achilles tendon

The 23-year-old forward had to leave the pitch early in the first half of Liverpool's Champions League quarter-final return leg versus Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield on Tuesday, after a slip on the grass surface. The team suffered a 2-0 defeat, leading to a 4-0 aggregate elimination.

Follow-up scans have verified the full extent of the striker's injury, and Liverpool have stated that Ekitike will miss the final weeks of the season.

This issue will also prevent him from participating in this year's World Cup, the club confirmed, following remarks from France coach Didier Deschamps on Wednesday indicating the forward's absence from the North American tournament.

"Additional information will follow when appropriate, and Hugo has the complete backing of everyone at LFC," Liverpool announced in an official statement.

Ekitike transferred to Liverpool in July from Eintracht Frankfurt and stands as their leading goalscorer this season with 17 strikes in various competitions, 11 of them in the Premier League. He has managed two goals for France across eight international outings.