Liverpool fans will be stunned by official announcement regarding ‘outstanding’ Anfield beast

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Hugo Ekitike, Liverpool’s new forward, was omitted from France’s squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers, as announced by manager Didier Deschamps on August 27, 2025. Despite Ekitike’s impressive start to the Premier League season—scoring three goals in as many games since his summer transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt—Deschamps cited the fierce competition for attacking positions and the desire to maintain squad stability as reasons for leaving the 23-year-old out.

Deschamps is opting to rely on an experienced forward line including Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Marcus Thuram, along with supporting attacking talents like Rayan Cherki, Michael Olise, Désiré Doué, and Bradley Barcola. The manager’s coaching staff feels it is “too soon” to integrate Ekitike into the senior squad for competitive qualifiers, especially given France’s challenging qualification group where stability and experience are prioritized over experimentation.

The decision has surprised some fans and observers, considering Ekitike’s strong early-season form and his growing role at Liverpool under manager Arne Slot. Nonetheless, the omission may benefit Liverpool, giving Ekitike more time to adjust to the Premier League and further develop before making his international debut. Deschamps recognizes Ekitike’s promising potential and indicated he remains on the radar for future selections.

Apart from Ekitike, several other talented French players were also left out of the squad due to the abundance of quality options available to Deschamps. The manager continues to balance between nurturing young talent and maintaining a seasoned squad capable of navigating the pressure of World Cup qualification.

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PP