Hugo Ekitike has been snubbed by France manager Didier Deschamps for the World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Iceland despite his fine start for Liverpool.
Ekitike, following a £69 million ($92.8m) move from Eintracht Frankfurt, has netted in each of his first three games for his new club — once in the Community Shield against Crystal Palace and then in the Premier League wins over Bournemouth and Newcastle.
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But the 23-year-old will still have to wait for his first French call-up after once again being overlooked by Deschamps in Wednesday’s squad announcement.
France have handed Monaco midfielder Maghnes Akliouche his first call-up, with the 23-year-old joining the likes of Kylian Mbappé in the squad.
France face Ukraine on Sept. 5 before hosting Iceland on Sept. 9.
Full France squad:
Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier, Mike Maignan, Brice Samba.
Defenders: Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto, Lucas Hernández, Théo Hernández, Ibrahima Konaté, Jules Koundé, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano.
Midfielders: Mattéo Guendouzi, Manu Koné, Adrien Rabiot, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Khéphren Thuram.
Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, Marcus Thuram.
