Arne Slot makes Hugo Ekitike prediction after surgery and points to Liverpool's 'beast'
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Hugo Ekitike has had surgery after he ruptured his Achilles tendon in his right leg against Paris Saint-GermainArne Slot is convinced Hugo Ekitike will come back stronger than ever from his serious injury as the Liverpool striker prepares for "a long time" on the sidelines.Ekitike underwent surgery earlier this week to repair the ruptured Achilles tendon in his right leg that he suffered during the Champions League defeat to former club Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield last week.While no timescale has been set for his return, the 23-year-old - who is Liverpool's top scorer this season having arrived in a potential £79million deal from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer - is unlikely to be back in action until well into the next campaign.And although Slot is hopeful the injury will not overly hamper the striker's natural game, he admits Ekitike faces a lengthy rehabilitation.FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! Then it all depends on how rehab goes."He is a very explosive player, that is usually not helpful if you have this injury but maybe he is the exception to this."But he will be back stronger, as all the others who have been injured for such a long time.
What would be the best scenario for him I cannot say, but a very good pre-season for us, six or seven weeks would be a good lead-up to the season."But if he has a good World Cup where it plays a lot of games that would be helpful. But I am happy he is back."Now he is two weeks with us maybe.
How fast he can have his best best level, I don’t know that, I cannot look at the future but I am hoping for us and himself, it is very soon."Liverpool will be bolstered by the return of Joe Gomez after missing the derby, while Wataru Endo has made a step forward in his recovery from an ankle operation."Joe is back in the squad and that is really positive because last weekend, we had two centre-backs who were playing and none on the bench so it is really helpful Joe is back," said Slot."Wata is starting to go out, not with the team yet, do exercises outside with the rehab team. He is making steps but will not be available for next week against United or the week after but we are hoping and expecting him to be back at the end of the season."