Hugo Ekitike could already be regretting Newcastle decision following Liverpool snub
Hugo Ekitike was left out of Liverpool’s starting 11 as Arne Slot’s side kicked off their Champions League campaign in impressive fashion beating Atletico Madrid 3-2.
Ekitike joined Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt this summer and has started the season in red-hot form.
The Frenchman has scored two goals in his first four Premier League games, but was quiet when Liverpool beat Burnley on Sunday.
Ekitike is now at risk of being displaced at Liverpool, with Alexander Isak arriving in a record-breaking deadline day deal, worth £125 million.
Hugo Ekitike risks stagnation after fast start
Ekitike’s Premier League got off to a blistering start, with goals in Liverpool’s wins over Bournemouth and Newcastle.
However, Isak’s arrival at Anfield leaves Ekitike in the lurch, with the Swede ahead of him in Slot’s striker pecking order.
| Hugo Ekitike 2025-26 | |
| Goals | 2 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Key passes per 90 | 1.21 |
| Shot-creating actions per 90 | 2.71 |
| Progressive carries per 90 | 1.52 |
Ekitike has played on the left in his career, but Cody Gakpo’s form has also been scintillating to start the season.
The 23-year-old will look to fight for his place in Liverpool’s starting 11 and will believe he has what it takes to earn back a spot in Slot’s starting side.
French football expert questions Hugo Ekitike’s transfer move
Speaking in the build-up to Liverpool’s 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid on BBC 5 Live, French football expert Julien Laurens spoke about whether he felt Ekitike would have moved to the Reds had he known Isak would have also signed.
Laurens said: “I really don’t think so, no. He signed after a first approach from Liverpool to Newcastle for Isak, when they closed the door.
Ekitike was linked with a blockbuster move to Newcastle before joining the Reds, although that was before they knew Isak was going to sign.
“That was before Isak went on strike and stopped training with them and then Liverpool reverted to Ekitike, who was on his way to Newcastle because he was supposed to be the replacement, or to play together if nobody came for Isak,” Laurens added.
“We knew that as soon as Isak was fit that the one to be dropped was Ekitike. It was just very clear. Can they play together? Of course they can. You could play Ekitike from the start but off the left, but that’s not really his position.
“It was just one of Ekitike and Isak [in the team] and it was never going to be Ekitike over Isak if Isak was fit.”
Ekitike will know that, although Isak is currently playing ahead of him, Liverpool have plenty of games to come this season, and rotation will be necessary for Slot.