Hugo Ekitike has been a revelation for Liverpool as the Frenchman continues to net goals for the Merseyside outfit. Ekitike was actually supposed to be a replacement for Alexander Isak at St. James Park.
However, when a deal for Isak looked impossible, Arne Slot went on to change Hugo’s mind, bringing him to Anfield. The Reds paid £69m to transfer his contract from Eintracht Frankfurt.
The transfer made Ekitike the most expensive French striker in history. Liverpool didn’t stop there, though, as Slot went on to sign Isak from Newcastle United, beating the Magpies on double fronts.
However, the signing of Isak wasn’t seen as a good luck charm for Ektike. The Frenchman had to compete for a spot against the most expensive player in British history.
Ektike did break expectations, though, as Isak’s fitness led to the former getting more chances at Anfield. The Reds had never doubted the No.9’s potential, and Ektike’s former Europa League opponent agrees.
Liverpool forward Hugo Ektike receives praise from former opponent
FC Midtjylland’s Ousmane Diao would like to play with Hugo Ekitike in the future (Credits: Imago Images)
While still playing for Die Adler, Ektike stunned opponents through his arsenal of swift skills. His former opponent from the Europa League, Senegalese defender Ousmane Diao, who plays for FC Midtjylland, confirmed the rumours as he spoke about the players he’d want to play with in the future.
“Last year, against Frankfurt, there were a lot of good players like Ekitike, Marmoush, etc. But Hugo Ekitike was particularly difficult. Honestly, I would like to play with him in the future. His movement is incredible. He’s fast, technical… he’s very strong”, Diao told Foot Mercato.
Ektike has already scored three goals for Liverpool in six English Premier League matches. He has also assisted once maintaining an xAG of 0.3.
The Frenchman’s xG and npXG both stand at 1.9. However, the striker might be underperforming in the UEFA Champions League as he’s scored zero in two appearances with 1.7 xG and npXG.
Quiz: Can you name the team Liverpool sold these players to?
Former Liverpool striker admits fault
On the other hand, former Liverpool striker Dijibril Cisse told Get French Football News that his initial assessment of Hugo Ekitike wasn’t justified.
“He brings goals. He can score goals. I was a little scared that he wasn’t going to play much, but I was wrong. He’s playing, he’s doing good, he’s scoring goals. He’s bringing different options to Mo Salah and Alexander Isak. I knew he had the quality to perform, but to be honest, I wasn’t expecting him to be that good, that quick.”
