Hugo Ekitike will play for Liverpool again as return date emerges with two matches targeted

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Rush The Kop or go back to LFC Live.

Following his high-profile summer transfer to Liverpool, the forward had already racked up an impressive 14 goals across all competitions in his first season, establishing himself as one of the most clinical and dynamic young strikers in European football.For six long months, however, Ekitike has been forced to watch from the sidelines. His rehabilitation has been a global effort designed to get him back to 100 percent without taking any unnecessary shortcuts.After making an emotional return to his boyhood club Reims to kick off a match at the end of August, the former PSG forward spent September extending his recovery at France’s world-famous Clairefontaine facility.

But Iraola knows in the back of his mind that he has yet to unleash his full, multi-dimensional attacking lineup without Ekitike. The Frenchman offers a unique mix of pressing intelligence, height, direct goal threat, and smooth link-up play that complements Liverpool's other forwards perfectly.Addressing Ekitike’s progress ahead of the Fulham clash a few weeks ago, Iraola offered a realistic and honest assessment of where the Frenchman stands in his rehab journey:"I think it is difficult with these long-term injuries.

There is a reasonable chance that he could help us in the last two games of the (Champions League) group stages, but it is still very early to say."It's very early because it's a long-term injury, but if we decided to put him there (in the Champions League squad) it is because there is a hope and a realistic chance that he could help us in January, yes."The decision to include Ekitike in Liverpool’s official European squad list was a massive vote of confidence. Having seen his dream of playing in a North American World Cup snatched away in the blink of an eye, Ekitike’s hunger to prove himself on Merseyside is stronger than ever.While Liverpool’s medical team will continue to take things week by week, the sight of Ekitike laced up and kicking a ball again brings a massive boost to the squad.