Hugo Ekitike
Hugo Ekitike has opened up about the rigorous training demands placed on him by Liverpool manager Arne Slot. The French striker, who joined the Premier League champions from Eintracht Frankfurt for £79 million, has quickly adapted to English football, scoring six goals in 15 appearances. However, his journey has not been without challenges, including a notable incident that led to a public reprimand from Slot.
Hugo Ekitike said: “Yes!” laughed the France international striker. “As a player, sometimes you’re p***ed, it’s annoying. I know he wants the best for me and the best for the team. I would say he’s on my back, but not for a bad thing. He just wants to help me, so I don’t take that badly. He wants me to give more and more and more. But I think that’s a question you should ask him!”
Ekitike’s adjustment to the Premier League has been impressive, yet not without its hiccups. A second yellow card for removing his shirt after scoring a winning goal in the League Cup against Southampton resulted in him missing a crucial Premier League match against Crystal Palace. This absence coincided with a difficult period for Liverpool, marked by six defeats in seven games. Slot’s feedback focused on Ekitike’s work-rate without the ball, emphasizing the need for greater involvement in team play.
Hugo Ekitike added: “Obviously keep my shirt on! It was more about work-rate without the ball, to be more involved and to work more for the team, which I’m trying to do. We’ll get there – it’s mostly about working without the ball.”
Efforts to develop a striking partnership with Alexander Isak have been hindered by Isak’s fitness issues. The £125 million signing has only started one match alongside Ekitike, a 5-1 victory in the Champions League against Eintracht Frankfurt. Despite these challenges, Ekitike remains optimistic about the potential of Liverpool’s attacking lineup.
Hugo Ekitike said: “I’m definitely sure that not only him, but all the players who play in the offensive line, I know we can all play together.”
Ekitike also shared insights from his time at Paris Saint-Germain, where he played alongside the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, and Neymar. He credits these experiences with shaping his game and helping him develop skills such as vision, ball control, and off-the-ball movement.
Hugo Ekitike said: “I try to take things from the players I love. What did I learn from Messi? Maybe his vision. Sometimes I try to see things earlier, before I receive the ball. Neymar I took some tricks and skills, ball control. I took the runs of Kylian, he could do great runs without the ball. So many things, it is difficult to list. But I definitely took stuff from their game.”
Reflecting on his career path, Ekitike highlighted his transformative loan spell in Denmark with Velje Boldklub in 2021. This unconventional move provided him with valuable playing time and experience in a competitive league, contributing significantly to his development.
Hugo Ekitike said: “I would say not a weird move but not what you expect from a young player. Most thought I would go to the second division in France but I made the choice to go to Denmark. Obviously it was difficult but really good. I got consistent minutes, I learned a lot from this league. The guys were really strong.”
As Ekitike continues to evolve at Liverpool, his focus remains on becoming a consistent performer rather than just an exciting signing. His journey reflects a commitment to growth and learning from the best in the game.
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