What Hugo Ekitike just did in Liverpool training should be illegal

Hugo Ekitike has evidently not come to Liverpool to play second-fiddle to another striker.

The France worldwide began his first aggressive fixture with the Reds with aplomb, scoring an outstanding purpose in our Neighborhood Defend defeat to Crystal Palace.

Nevertheless, it stays to be seen simply how a lot competitors the previous Eintracht Frankfurt man will face this time period.

The Merseysiders proceed to pursue a deal for £150m-valued Alexander Isak, however Newcastle are remaining agency on their “not on the market” place.

Hugo Ekitike continues to impress in Liverpool coaching

Any suggestion that the Swede goes to waltz into the Liverpool starting-XI needs to be laughed off. Not, to be 100% clear, because of a possible disparity in high quality, however somewhat the dearth of a correct pre-season.

Ekitike, in contrast, has already had loads of time to work with the group and get used to Arne Slot’s mind-set.

On that foundation, we’d anticipate Isak – if Liverpool do handle to do a deal – to be progressively reintroduced to first-team minutes.

Regardless, it’s nice to see our £69m summer season signing wanting actually sharp in coaching and able to embrace the problem.

One clip shared on X (previously Twitter) on the membership’s official channel, showcases a exceptional little bit of showboating within the first contact earlier than Hugo Ekitike neatly positioned his end from shut vary.

Candy Jesus, Hugo 😅pic.twitter.com/cKwYtnQzJF

— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) August 13, 2025

Arne Slot is anticipating to need to depend on Hugo Ekitike

Evidently, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot isn’t anticipating to have Isak at his disposal anytime quickly.

The Dutch head coach informed the press that Ekitike’s early exit in the course of the Neighborhood Defend conflict was all the way down to the dearth of depth within the centre of the ahead line.

In equity, while there continues to be a scarcity of great choices in that division, retaining a comparatively tight leash on the Frenchman’s minutes is totally the proper name.

In spite of everything, our different central choice in Luis Diaz (who featured totally on the left flank) has gone off to Bayern. Cody Gakpo can play within the place, however Slot has confirmed to be far much less keen to make that decision than his predecessor, Jurgen Klopp.

That’s advantageous by us – the Dutchman seems to be infinitely higher out broad.t

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