Hugo Ekitike heaps praise on ‘great’ Liverpool teammate | OneFootball

Hugo Ekitike Praises Florian Wirtz as Liverpool Partnership Continues to Flourish

Hugo Ekitike has offered fresh insight into his growing on-pitch relationship with Florian Wirtz, underlining why Liverpool’s forward line has become one of the most productive units in European football this season.

Speaking after Liverpool’s emphatic 6–0 Champions League victory over Qarabag, the French striker highlighted the mutual understanding he has developed with the German playmaker, a connection that continues to shape Arne Slot’s attacking structure.

In an interview with Hayters TV, first reported by Rousing The Kop, Ekitike described Wirtz as “a great player” and admitted that their partnership has become central to Liverpool’s attacking rhythm in 2025/26.

With 13 goals and four assists in all competitions, Ekitike has emerged as one of Liverpool’s standout performers, while Wirtz’s creativity from wide and central areas has added a new layer of unpredictability to Slot’s side.

Ekitike Highlights Growing Understanding with Wirtz

Ekitike was quick to acknowledge how influential Wirtz has been in his own development this season, pointing to their growing chemistry in the final third.

“I gave him a lot of assists,” Ekitike said. “He needs to give it me back now.

“Obviously, as I said before, he’s a great player. I love to play with that kind of player and hopefully we can just continue each game. Keep scoring and give assists to each other.”

Those comments reflect a relationship built on movement, timing and technical compatibility. Wirtz’s ability to drift between lines and draw defenders out of position has created space for Ekitike to attack central channels, while the striker’s intelligent runs have given Wirtz consistent passing options.

Since Wirtz began featuring more regularly from the left flank, Liverpool’s attacking patterns have become increasingly fluid, with both players rotating positions and interchanging roles throughout matches.

Wirtz’s Creative Influence in Liverpool’s Attack

Wirtz’s arrival has transformed Liverpool’s chance creation. Operating as both a wide creator and an interior playmaker, the 22-year-old has given Slot tactical flexibility that few Premier League sides can match.

Against Qarabag, Wirtz’s assist for Ekitike highlighted his vision and precision in congested areas. It was another example of why the German international has quickly become one of Liverpool’s most influential players.

The former Bayer Leverkusen midfielder now ranks among the club’s leading contributors for key passes, progressive carries and chances created this season. His ability to combine with Ekitike, Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak has made Liverpool’s forward line exceptionally difficult to defend.

From a tactical perspective, Wirtz’s presence allows Liverpool to overload central zones without sacrificing width, an approach that has helped them dominate possession and territory in both domestic and European fixtures.

Tactical Balance Under Arne Slot

While the Ekitike-Wirtz partnership has been one of the highlights of Liverpool’s campaign, it also presents selection challenges for Slot.

With Ekitike, Wirtz, Isak and Salah all pushing for regular starts, balancing attacking firepower with midfield stability remains a delicate task. Deploying Wirtz as a central No.10, for instance, can affect the roles of Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister.

Slot has so far managed these dynamics carefully, rotating his attacking options while maintaining structural discipline. His emphasis on positional play and pressing has ensured that Liverpool remain compact even when fielding multiple attacking talents.

The manager’s willingness to adapt shapes and roles has been central to maintaining momentum across competitions, particularly during periods of fixture congestion.

Future Outlook for Liverpool’s Attacking Core

Looking ahead, Liverpool’s challenge will be to preserve harmony within a squad filled with high-level attacking talent. Ekitike’s comments suggest that the players themselves are invested in collective success rather than individual recognition.

“I love to play with that kind of player,” Ekitike reiterated, underlining the importance of mutual trust within the squad.

If the partnership with Wirtz continues to mature, Liverpool could possess one of Europe’s most dangerous attacking duos for years to come. Their blend of creativity, movement and finishing evokes comparisons with some of the club’s most productive forward combinations of previous eras.

With Champions League knockout football approaching and the Premier League title race intensifying, Slot’s ability to maximise this partnership may prove decisive in determining how far Liverpool can go this season.