Liverpool gets positive Hugo Ekitike injury update as change noticed in striker

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Liverpool star Hugo Ekitike continues his rehabilitation from a serious injury he picked up at the end of last season, with progress clearly being made by the strikerHugo Ekitike is making a recovery from an Achilles injury at Liverpool over the summer(Image: (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images))Liverpool has been handed a clear positive injury boost with Hugo Ekitike, as the star was spotted walking without his crutches after his side's defeat to Leeds in preseason.The striker has been out of action since April, when he picked up an Achilles injury in a clash with his old team, Paris Saint-Germain, which required him to be stretchered off the pitch. In one fell swoop, Ekitike had the rest of his season, his chances of competing at the World Cup, and the start of the next campaign all taken away from him.The injury can take months to recover from, and while Ekitike has been pushing hard to recover as quickly as possible, it is tough to speed up that timeline to get back to action any quicker than his body will allow.Over the summer, there have been several videos showing the physio work that the forward is undergoing, as he battles back toward full fitness for Liverpool.Despite some intensive work, the 24-year-old has still required a pair of crutches to assist with his usual walking, showing the extent of the damage that had been done with the initial injury.However, footage from Liverpool's defeat to Leeds saw the star greeting fans, signing memorabilia, and enjoying the atmosphere, all doing so without the assistance of those crutches he had previously depended on.Content cannot be displayed without consentIt's a positive step in the right direction for Ekitike, one that pushes him toward another milestone in his hopes of getting back in the action as quickly as possible.That said, there is still some way to go before the France international can make himself fully available to Liverpool for the campaign ahead under new boss Andoni Iraola.Hugo Ekitike was back at Liverpool's training ground this week (Image: Liverpool FC)It's still a blow for both player and manager, as a return isn't likely until December at the earliest, by which point the halfway stage of the season will already be around the corner.There is more reliance on Alexander Isak as a result, across all competitions, as he, the club-record signing, will need to produce the goals in the Premier League, Champions League, and cup competitions.It remains to be seen whether he can do that, and considering the lack of depth options up front beyond the Swedish international, there could be some huge decisions ahead.When Ekitike does return, it will be like a new signing for Liverpool, adding a forward who may suit the new style of play perfectly under Iraola.