‘Hugo Ekitike facing difficult questions as Liverpool move beckons’
Liverpool are on the verge of completing their swoop for Hugo Ekitike, but the striker will have some questions to answer at Anfield.
Newcastle United were long-term admirers of Ekitike and looked set to finally complete a move to sign the France youth international this summer.
However, Liverpool have swooped in under the nose of the Magpies and will imminently conclude a deal.
Ekitike joins the Reds following a stellar season with German outfit Eintracht Frankfurt, notching 22 goals and 12 assists across all competitions — including 15 goals and eight assists in 33 Bundesliga outings to help Die Adler qualify for the Champions League.
Ex-Premier League coach raises Hugo Ekitike questions
With Darwin Nunez seemingly on his way out, a striker was desperately needed at Anfield, and Liverpool have once again backed Arne Slot with this deal worth an initial £69million (BBC, 21 July).
And there’s no doubt Ekitike brings plenty of talent to the Reds, proving last season that he can be a major difference-maker in a top-five European league.
However, from his struggles at PSG to a lack of pressing football at Frankfurt, there are still doubts over whether or not the 23-year-old will be a success in the Premier League.
| 2024/25 stats | Hugo Ekitike |
| Appearances | 48 |
| Goals | 22 |
| Assists | 12 |
That’s the view of former Premier League coach Edu Rubio.
“Hugo Ekitike can play on his own at the front or in a front two, he can also drift to the wing,” former West Ham and Wolves coach Rubio told BBC Sport (21 July).
“The Eintracht Frankfurt forward excels in quick attacking transitions with his runs and his accuracy in dribbling with the ball at his feet.
“He can also do well in tight areas when his team is playing against a low block and his height will come in handy for set pieces.
“There is, though, a question mark around whether Ekitike will manage to up his goals and assists and find consistent high figures in this department; as well as if he can deploy an aggressive high-press style since he has not been exposed to that at Frankfurt.
“However, he is a very exciting young French talent with huge potential to do very well in the Premier League.”
Liverpool building toward a formidable title defence
Football Insider verdict
Ekitike represents another huge step in the summer market for Liverpool, who are consolidating heavily on their Premier League title win last season.
The Frenchman is just the latest through the door at Anfield following the marquee captures of Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen and Milos Kerkez’s arrival from Bournemouth.
Adding that sort of quality to a title-winning side is a terrifying prospect for the rest of the Premier League.
And Liverpool fans will still be eagerly keeping track of the market, with the club continuing to be linked with Newcastle striker Alexander Isak and Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi.
Even if they don’t bring those last two through the door, it’s hard to see them not retaining the title next season, such is the depth and quality they now boast.
If they do, it might be game over for Manchester City and Arsenal before a ball is even kicked.