“Hardest time of my life” – Hugo Ekitike opens up on struggles before Liverpool move | OneFootball

Hugo Ekitike opens up on life lessons shaping his Liverpool rise

Hugo Ekitike’s early months at Liverpool have been defined by impact and introspection. Signed from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer, the forward has wasted little time making his presence felt on the pitch, most notably with a brace against Brighton that helped preserve Liverpool’s unbeaten run. Yet his most revealing contribution has come away from the scoreboard, offering a thoughtful reflection on the realities of life as a young professional far from home.

At 23, Hugo Ekitike already carries the experiences of a player who has seen football through several cultural lenses. His journey matters at Liverpool, a club now led by Arne Slot, fresh from a Premier League title in 2024/25, where mental resilience is prized alongside technical quality.

Arrival at Liverpool under new expectations

Liverpool represents a different scale of scrutiny for Ekitike. He has acknowledged that his move to Anfield has altered his life beyond recognition, noting previously how his world “changed completely” and how he has become “even more famous” back home. That attention is the price of success at a club where every performance is dissected and every adaptation closely watched.

Photo: IMAGO

Slot’s Liverpool demands intelligence in movement, discipline without the ball, and emotional control in high pressure moments. Ekitike’s early goal return, 10 in all competitions, suggests he is adjusting well, but his own words reveal that this adaptation is rooted in experiences forged long before he arrived on Merseyside.

Journeys across Europe shaping resilience

Ekitike has lived and played in France, Denmark, Germany and now England. Each move added layers to his development, none more so than his time in Denmark during the pandemic.

“When I was in Denmark, probably the hardest time of my life,” he explained via All Red Video.

“I was in a different country, COVID time. I was alone. Just learning life, it was not even about football, it was about learning life, being able to live with yourself.”

These were not lessons drawn from training sessions or tactical meetings. They were personal challenges, confronting isolation and self reliance at an age when many players are still insulated by familiar surroundings.

Advice for young players at Liverpool

That period continues to inform how Ekitike views risk and opportunity, particularly for young players weighing the fear of leaving home against the promise of growth.

“If I have one advice to give, it’s like when you think it’s crazy to do something, do it,” he said.

It is guidance that resonates within Liverpool’s dressing room, where emerging talents are asked to grow quickly in a demanding environment. Ekitike believes those difficult moments abroad strengthened him mentally and prepared him for the pressures that come with representing Liverpool.

“You always learn something, and I think that makes me better,” he added.

Mental strength behind goals and numbers

There is a tendency to judge forwards purely on output, yet Ekitike’s reflections highlight the psychological work underpinning his performances. His Brighton brace showcased composure and confidence, qualities Olivier Giroud has linked to his belief that Ekitike “has a good chance of being called for the World Cup.”

For Liverpool, this insight offers reassurance. Hugo Ekitike is not only scoring goals, he is drawing on a depth of experience that equips him for setbacks as much as success. In sharing his story, he underlines that thriving at Liverpool requires learning life as much as learning football.