Arsenal
Liverpool’s summer season switch window has been something however quiet, with Arne Slot’s facet trying to reinforce an assault that has at occasions leaned too closely on Mohamed Salah’s objectives. Contemporary from profitable the Premier League in his debut season, Slot is aware of strengthening the ahead line is essential if Liverpool are to take care of their dominance, and Hugo Ekitike has emerged because the identify on everybody’s lips.
Ekitike Edges In the direction of Anfield Transfer
After Liverpool’s method for Alexander Isak was turned down by Newcastle United, consideration turned firmly in direction of Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike. Talks between the golf equipment accelerated this previous week, although reviews on Saturday counsel an settlement just isn’t but finalised. Even so, the momentum factors in direction of Ekitike quickly sporting Liverpool pink.
At simply 22, Ekitike has already packed loads into his younger profession. After a glowing breakthrough in Ligue 1, he earned a transfer to PSG that maybe got here too quickly. However a swap to Frankfurt has seen him rediscover type and confidence, making him precisely the kind of profile Liverpool’s recruitment staff goal: younger, hungry and with important upside.
Carragher’s Sharp Prediction
Jamie Carragher, as ever, was forward of the curve. Again in April, talking on the ‘It’s Referred to as Soccer!’ podcast, the previous Liverpool defender provided his ideas on Ekitike.
“There’s the lad at Eintracht Frankfurt who scored towards Tottenham within the week, and I’m not going to attempt to pronounce his identify!” Carragher laughed.
“Ekitike, that smacks to me as the kind of participant Liverpool would signal. I believe he’s 22, he’s at a membership who you’d assume would most likely be a promoting membership, he’s accomplished rather well there.”
Carragher added, “He went to PSG as a really younger boy after type of lighting up the French league as a younger child, and it didn’t fairly work out for him. However he’s nonetheless actually younger, he’s bought nice numbers this season and it virtually appears to me as the kind of participant Liverpool would signal fairly than perhaps going for an Isak.”
Altering Switch Fashions
Curiously, Carragher’s evaluation of Liverpool’s technique may have revisiting. Whereas he was proper to spotlight Ekitike’s profile, he was much less correct when it got here to Isak.
“Each membership would love Isak,” Carragher mentioned. “Do I believe Liverpool might purchase Isak? I don’t know. I’m undecided Liverpool would need to pay that sort of cash for one participant, I don’t assume it’s actually within the mannequin. I believe Liverpool’s mannequin is ‘we’ll get the subsequent Isak’. They’re most likely kicking themselves saying ‘why didn’t we get Isak from Actual Sociedad?’ So, I don’t assume they’ll go and completely break the financial institution for him.”
But this summer season, Liverpool have already dedicated a big sum for Florian Wirtz, indicating a willingness to spend large the place essential. Ekitike could also be subsequent, however Liverpool’s ambitions clearly stretch past simply discovering the “subsequent large factor” on a funds.
Liverpool’s New Period Below Slot
Arne Slot’s first yr might hardly have gone higher, however sustaining success requires fixed renewal. Ekitike’s arrival would sign a recent part, mixing established stars like Salah and Wirtz with rising abilities. For Liverpool supporters, it’s an thrilling second, one the place good recruitment and daring ambition intertwine. As Jamie Carragher foresaw months in the past, Ekitike might quickly be strolling out at Anfield, prepared to jot down the subsequent chapter in Liverpool’s wealthy attacking custom.
