Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike has claimed that he is not entirely happy with his form despite enjoying a solid debut season. The Frenchman scored once and provided two assists as the Reds secured an emphatic 5-2 win against West Ham United on Saturday, February 28.
Ekitike joined Arne Slot’s side in the summer in a deal worth around £79 million with add-ons. The Frenchman’s transfer was somewhat overshadowed as the Reds splashed over £100 million for both Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak’s signatures.
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However, Ekitike was the only big summer acquisition to make an immediate impact and he leads Liverpool’s scoring charts across competitions. The 23-year-old has scored 16 goals and provided six assists in 37 appearances across competitions in his debut season.
Despite his impressive first season in English football, Ekitike has claimed that he feels that he could do more. He said, as quoted by The Liverpool Echo:
“To be honest, I could score more. I’m not that happy! But it’s not only about goals, it’s assists as well – (on Saturday) I think I gave one or two assists. As long as I can help the team and be involved, that’s the most important. I want to win so, personally, I’m happy.”
Ekitike added:
“Obviously I can improve, I could score also in the last games, I had good chances. So I have to keep working. I want to be the best version of myself to help the team more, because I know I could help more. But it’s always about lessons and getting better. I’ll try in the upcoming games to be even better, score more and be involved more.”
Ekitike has scored 11 goals in 25 games in the Premier League this season and is fourth in the scoring chart. He has also earned six caps since joining the Reds in the summer and has been tipped for a bright future.
Owen Hargreaves makes a big claim regarding Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike
Pundit Owen Hargreaves has backed Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike to become one of the best strikers in world football. The former Manchester United and Manchester City midfielder was thoroughly impressed with the Frenchman’s display against West Ham United on Saturday, February 28.
Ekitike scored once and produced two assists as Arne Slot’s side secured a 5-2 win against the Hammers at Anfield. Hargreaves was full of praise for the Frenchman after the game and said, via Metro:
“I tell you why he [Slot] is smiling, he’s got Hugo Ekitike in his team. What a player he is by the way, oh my word, he could be one of the best strikers in the world. I know we’ve got [Erling] Haaland but I think he’s got one of the most complete games, and the one thing I think all the top players need is confidence and belief, and he has.”
The former England midfielder added:
“Every time he steps on the pitch you can tell he’s like, ‘give me the ball, I’m going to create something’. And today [against West Ham], again, every time he touches the ball something special happens. He makes it look so easy with everything. He’s got size, he’s got skill, he’s got technique, he’s got awareness, always in the right place at the right time, technically he’s top and he’s got this confidence which I think is infectious.”
Liverpool take on Wolverhampton Wanderers back-to-back in the Premier League and FA Cup this week. They will then travel to Turkey to face Galatasaray in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16.
Edited by Snehanjan Banerjee
