Hugo Ekitike injury: Liverpool striker suffers suspected Achilles injury with fears he could miss at least six months

Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike has suffered a suspected Achilles injury and there are fears he could be out for at least six months.

Didier Deschamps, the France head coach, confirmed Ekitike will miss the World Cup this summer with a "serious" injury.

The worst-case scenario is an absence as long as nine months - but it will take more analysis to determine a timeline for his recovery.

Ekitike came off with a serious leg problem after 31 minutes of the 2-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield - which confirmed a 4-0 aggregate quarter-final defeat to the reigning European champions.

"Hugo suffered a serious injury on Tuesday evening against PSG," said Deschamps in quotes released on the national team's X account.

"The severity of his injury will unfortunately prevent him from finishing the season with Liverpool and participating in the World Cup.

"Hugo is one of the dozen young players who have made their debuts with the national team in recent months. He had perfectly integrated into the group, both on the pitch and off it. This injury is a huge blow for him, of course, but also for the France team.

"His disappointment is immense. Hugo will regain his top form, I'm convinced of it.

"But I wanted to express all my support to him, as well as that of the entire staff. We know he'll be fully behind the France team and we're all thinking of him very strongly."

Ekitike picked up the injury just as Alexander Isak returned from his serious leg injury, with the British record transfer making his first start since fracturing his ankle in December.