Former Liverpool Star Names Four Things to Love About Hugo Ekitike | OneFootball

Stan Collymore Backs Hugo Ekitike to Thrive at Liverpool

Liverpool’s summer transfer window was never going to be quiet. The Premier League champions under Arne Slot reinforced heavily, with high-profile arrivals such as Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak grabbing most of the headlines. Yet it is Hugo Ekitike, the £69m signing from Eintracht Frankfurt, who has quickly made his presence felt at Anfield.

Collymore Impressed by Liverpool Forward

Former Reds striker Stan Collymore has offered glowing praise for the Frenchman after his first few outings in a Liverpool shirt. Writing in his CaughtOffside column, Collymore observed the blend of qualities that make the 23-year-old stand out.

“I like Ekitike. I think he does a lot of things very well. He holds the ball up well. He can run in behind. He’s got really good feet. He’s a physical presence.

“I know that all of the lights have been shone on Isak and also Wirtz, but I think that Ekitike that might be the one that is the solid 8/10 over his Liverpool career.”

X: @LFC

Collymore’s remarks underline how quickly Ekitike has adapted to Slot’s system. Three goals in his opening three appearances suggest the club’s recruitment department may have struck gold.

Strong Start Builds Momentum

Liverpool supporters have already seen enough to believe Ekitike can deliver consistently. Slot demands intensity, flexibility and precision from his forwards, and early signs indicate that the Frenchman fits seamlessly into the collective. His ability to both hold up play and exploit space behind defences has added variety to Liverpool’s attacking options.

The presence of Isak, signed for £125m, could eventually affect selection choices. Yet with the Sweden international still regaining sharpness after a long lay-off, Ekitike has been given the responsibility of leading the line. For a player arriving in England with a sizeable price tag and weight of expectation, he has shown composure rather than nerves.

Consistency Key for Long-Term Success

Sustaining this level is now the challenge. No striker can realistically keep up a goal-per-game rate, but if Ekitike can establish himself as a 15-20 goal forward across a season, he will become an invaluable part of Liverpool’s squad. Collymore’s comparison with figures such as Roberto Firmino or Daniel Sturridge is telling, not because their styles are identical but because of the reliability they once brought to Anfield.

Slot’s Liverpool side will compete on multiple fronts, with a demanding schedule through autumn and winter. That intensity should ensure Ekitike receives ample opportunities, even when Isak is fully integrated. His willingness to work within the team structure while still producing decisive contributions suggests he is well placed to handle the rotation and competition that come with elite football.

Ekitike Shaping Up as an Astute Signing

Liverpool’s recruitment strategy under Slot appears carefully calibrated, blending marquee names with players ready to evolve into key performers. Hugo Ekitike may not have generated the same initial fanfare as Wirtz or Isak, but his rapid start has turned heads. With Collymore already labelling him a “solid 8/10”, there is every chance that the French striker will prove a cornerstone of Liverpool’s next chapter.