Liverpool have a “ruthless” 19-year-old striker who could surpass Ekitike

Arne Slot’s Anfield is peopled with quite a lot of top-class expertise, however Liverpool have nonetheless struggled to click on into gear this season.

In reality, this was at all times going to be a testing 12 months for the Reds after the occasions of the summer time, and the squad deserve a measure of leeway.

However the soccer will simply preserve coming, and Liverpool know that they can’t enable their wretched Premier League kind to rage on, having misplaced 5 of their previous six matches within the division.

Regardless, Liverpool might be optimistic for the longer term. The likes of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak could not have discovered kind but following record-breaking summer time strikes, however these are two of probably the most gifted gamers in England, and their success on the membership is a matter of when, not if.

No such misfortune for Hugo Ekitike, although, who has been thriving since finishing a £69m transfer to the membership from Eintracht Frankfurt in July.

The numbers behind Hugo Ekitike’s begin at Liverpool

Trying even deeper into the Merseysiders’ squad, although, we are able to see that Liverpool are elevating a faculty of kids with a lot potential, and regardless of the bump within the street this 12 months, there’s one who has the capability to finish up outstripping Ekitike at quantity 9.

Some felt Liverpool’s hijack of Newcastle United’s transfer for the France ahead was unnecessary as they pushed forward to land Isak’s signature this summer time, however Ekitike has responded emphatically on the pitch.

So cellular and artistic, Ekitike provides way over simply objectives. Information from FBref tells of his protean high quality, rating among the many prime 8% of Premier League strikers this time period for shot-creating actions and the highest 2% for profitable take-ons per 90.

Throughout all competitions, he has scored greater than another Redman this time period, and this, having joined a loose-wired tactical machine from abroad.

The 23-year-old’s means to cut and alter his attacking outlook is certainly one of his greatest strengths. He’s tactically malleable, and it will serve him effectively over the approaching years.

He is been the cream of the attacking crop this season, for certain, and appears set for a propitious future on Merseyside. That mentioned, he’ll proceed to tussle with Isak for minutes, and the Sweden striker is sure to hit his world-class stride at some stage.

Furthermore, Liverpool are growing an academy star who has the potential to go all the way in which.

The Liverpool teen who may surpass Ekitike

When ‘Klopp’s Youngsters’ helped steer Liverpool’s iconic supervisor to silverware in his remaining season, followers thought the membership had unearthed a treasure trove of up-and-coming expertise.

Most of these stars have since moved on, however Liverpool’s academy system has continued to evolve and a number of other stars are displaying themselves to have actual potential.

Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha are the largest names, however Keyrol Figueroa is on the street towards making himself identified, for certain. The 19-year-old striker has scored seven objectives from 9 league outings in Rob Web page’s improvement aspect this season, that means he’s at present the membership’s prime scorer throughout all ranges, forward of Ekitike.

In October, Slot named Figueroa amongst his substitutes within the Carabao Cup at Anfield. Liverpool have been thrashed 3-0 by Crystal Palace, however this stood as a testomony to the regard {the teenager}, son of former Premier League star Maynor Figueroa, is held in.

A robust runner, sturdy within the duel and tenacious throughout all phases of play, Figueroa is on the cusp of breaking onto the main stage, and whereas he’ll discover alternatives exhausting to return by in a Reds aspect chock-full with attacking expertise, Slot is clearly a fan.

It is most likely price noting that Liverpool U21s haven’t been at their finest this 12 months. After 9 matches, Web page’s outfit are twenty first within the 29-team league.

They’ve solely received three video games, however in every of those fixtures, Figueroa has scored. He has began solely 5 of 9 outings this season. It is clear to see why Web page has mentioned he has the making of a “deadly, ruthless quantity 9”.

It is a outstanding, medical run for the prospect, and if he manages to show that he has unlocked a sustainable attacking high quality, there’s each likelihood he may very well be knocking on Slot’s door ahead of many would have anticipated, frankly.

There was a transparent emphasis over the previous a number of years at Liverpool on conserving a transparent pathway open, working from the academy set-up to the senior squad.

Figueroa deserves a shot, particularly since all of the pictures he’s taking proper now are discovering the again of the online. In fact, we’ve got seen already this season the advantages that may be discovered from giving hungry kids an opportunity (taking a look at you, Ngumoha).

Given Liverpool’s struggles on the highest stage over the previous a number of months, Figueroa’s inclusion within the months forward may not be a foul factor, ought to he proceed to attain at such a medical fee.

He may not be on Ekitike’s stage in the mean time, however his physicality and natural-born eye for aim counsel he may turn out to be an actual star on Merseyside, maybe even occurring to eclipse the Frenchman down the road.