Hugo Ekitike and the Redefinition of the Position of a Central Forward in the Premier League | OneFootball

The noise at the summer transfer window was for Alexander Isak move to Liverpool despite the noise, Ekitike the former Frankfurt hit man announced himself against Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Newcastle. Despite Ekitike brilliant start of 4 goals in 4 matches for Liverpool the question is what’s so unique about Hugo Ekitike that enabled a competition of preference among fans and what could he add to the front line of Liverpool after the exit of Darwin to Al-Hilal and Luiz Diaz to Bayern Munich ?

Ronaldo Nazario and Kareem Benzema have been a striker model in the addition of creative movement alongside goal-scoring abilities. However, the interesting thing is how they are creating rhythm and at the same time scoring goals despite not being midfielders. With this stated context of the skill set of Ronaldo Nazario and Karim Benzema we look at what makes Ekitike’s skill set different in the Liverpool set up as we look into the profile, unique skill set and what he adds tactically to the game.

Background.

The Reims-born striker began his football career at Cormontreuil FC in the suburbs of Reims. He joined the youth academy of Stade de Reims around 2013. At the academy, he was seen as a talented prospect.

He signed his first professional contract in the summer of 2020 and made his senior debut for Reims in Ligue 1 in October 2020.

The French Striker was loaned to Vejle Boldklub (Denmark) early in 2021, to get more first-team experience. He returned to Reims; After his loan, he broke through more in Ligue 1, scoring goals and attracting attention.

From Reims to the Break Out Season at Frankfurt

Following his return to Reims he had always shown his capability but was never enough for earn a guaranteed start .

The 1.90m, right footed striker opted and went on loan to PSG with option to buy. He won Ligue 1 with PSG in 2022-23. His transfer to PSG was later made permanent.

In February 2024, he moved on loan to Eintracht Frankfurt from PSG. The loan was then made permanent in April 2024. He had a strong 2024-25 season in the Bundesliga, scoring 15 goals in 33 league appearances.  Following a brilliant season with Frankfurt, he signed for Liverpool in the Premier League. The deal reportedly cost up to £79 million (including add-on).

Playing Style and Tactical Adaptation

Hugo Ekitike is a striker who likes to start on the shoulder, attack the inside-left channel, and finish quickly off limited touches. Accelerates well for his size and can carry the ball at pace.  This is clearly seen in this goal against Bournemouth.

He is comfortable receiving at feet/back to goal, then slipping runners or switching the point of attack. In 2024/25 he attempted 117 league shots (more than any player in the Bundesliga, including Harry Kane), converting 15. That’s high-usage, high-gravity forward play that bends defensive shapes even when he doesn’t score.

In a pressing situation he suits a front-foot side. At  Frankfurt, he was used to close down center-backs and trigger traps toward touch. He had a good shooting technique and with capacity to toe poke he can finish within the central and opposition zone depending on position he received the ball. ‎

Ekitiké’s dynamism makes him a threat in attacking transitions, where he makes forward-facing movements to receive on the outside of defenders. In each scenario, he prefers to receive the ball and use close control and his ball-carrying ability to travel past defenders. When space is available, he will be direct, taking more steps between touches to drive quickly towards the goal.

Ekitiké has shown game intelligence in his movement. He often positions on the blindside of central defenders while his team tries to penetrate the opposition’s defensive structure He is also capable of link-up play in the build-up.When his team has penetrated a back line, he can be explosive in his movement, accelerating away from his marker to arrive ahead of recovering defenders

What Does Ekitike Add Tactically to Liverpool

Ekitike Is Different no.9 Reference Similar to Ronaldo Nazario, Benzema and Henry

‎Ekitike isn’t a pure target nor a pure poacher; he’s a channel-running 9 who thrives on early passes into space. That stretches the back line vertically and creates cut-back lanes for Liverpool’s wide creators. Look for frequent diagonal runs from the left half-space onto straight balls from midfield or the fullback

He Has the Shot Gravity That Buys Time for Creators

His elite shot volume forces center-backs to step early. That extra half-second can free Liverpool’s right-side to receive at the top of the box or the weak-side winger to attack the back post. In practice, you’ll see more second-phase looks after initial Ekitike actions scrambles and the chances he creates are chances for others.

Ekitike Is a Press Leader for Slot’s First Line

The French Striker can be tasked with screening the pivot and pressing the ball-side center-back; he’s used to that role. It keeps Liverpool compact and helps trigger turnovers high—perfect for quick strike finishes where his first touch sets up the shot.

Tactical Flexibility Across Shapes

In a 4-2-3-1 shape he can play as the lone 9 as he pins Central Back, runs channels, and make walls passes for the 10.

In a 4-3-3 shape he can start at the center , drifting inside to the left and combine with an overlapping fullback, leaving the far-side winger to crash the box.

When chasing games: Pairing him with a second striker gives Liverpool alternating movements—one drops, one spins—increasing first-ball wins and chaos chances. a characteristics that can be crucial with his partnership with Isak.

Ekitike as a Left-Winger can drift using his acceleration and dribbling skills to cut inside and attack the goal.

As a False Nine, he is fluid in movement; the fluid movement around the pitch is a key aspect of his game, allowing him to play in multiple areas of the attack.

When creating space Ekitike can drop deep from a striker or left-wing position to act as a false nine, drawing defenders with him and creating space for others to run into.

Ekitike Perceived Place in the Despite the Arrival of Isak to Liverpool?

Isak scored 23 Premier League goals last season and joins an attack which, as well as Ekitike, also features last season’s Golden Boot winner Mohamed Salah, £116m signing of Florian Wirtz, and Cody Gakpo. The speculation of playing together or one sitting for another has been a huge debate. Isak and Ekitike playing together could see them link up in a front two but Ekitike can play as a number 10 as well.

Wirtz will play most of his minutes there, but he will need to take a break at some point.

Ekitike has a skill set that could enable him start from the left wing. And with an attacking left-back in Milos Kerkez behind him, it isn’t too hard to see how the mechanics of that might unfold, as Ekitike will provide a lot of movement and link up which might add Isak running into the central channels.

Slot might line up in a 4-2-4/4-4-2 when not in possession, but crucially that’s with a 10 (Dominik Szoboszlai) playing very much as a third midfielder when Liverpool have the ball. Certain things are considered such as injuries, the need to rotate for twice-weekly football, and Slot’s tactical adaptations to the opposition.

But Liverpool will require playing  through the middle, requiring a two-man midfield to cover all the space when a quick turnover triggers an opposition counter-attack to accommodate their partnership.