Footage has emerged of Hugo Ekitike taking part in a training session for Liverpool as the Frenchman prepares to make his first appearance in pre-season for his new club. After being linked with several clubs this summer, the 23-year-old completed a £79 million switch to Anfield from Eintracht Frankfurt, following in the footsteps of Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz who also swapped the Bundesliga for Merseyside.
Ekitike was not included in the starting XI for the Reds’ first game of their pre-season tour of Asia, with Wirtz instead starting as a false nine in the 4-2 defeat to AC Milan, while Ben Doak took the mantle in the second period. However, clips that have come out since of the French U21 international ahead of Wednesday’s game against Yokohama F. Marinos are bound to get Liverpool fans excited.
Ekitike’s Training Footage Released
The Frenchman has made a strong impression
clips that have surfaced on social media, Ekitike can be seen in top form, bagging three completely different goals in a small-sided game. The first was a powerful finish with his right foot, the second a more cultured effort into the far corner with his left while off balance.
The former PSG man capped things off with a bullet header from close range, completing what would have been a perfect hat-trick in a real game, and leaving fans tantalised by the prospect of what he could bring to the team.
Liverpool struggled in the number nine position last year and it was quickly identified as an area to strengthen. Darwin Nunez suffered from inconsistency for the third straight season, with the Uruguayan appearing to accept his fate as rumours surrounding a potential departure continue. Meanwhile, the late Diogo Jota’s injury record had also been called into question prior to his tragic passing in July.
In Ekitike, fans believe they have a true top-class number nine on their hands, with many going as far as to say that they don’t need Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, who they also continue to be linked with.
Isak has told Newcastle that he wants to explore other options after being made aware of Liverpool’s interest, but some on social media are convinced that they do not require the Swede as a result of Ekitike’s footage.
“And we are still signing Isak? Looool,” responded one, while another added: “Is Isak coming to sit on the bench?”
A third questioned: “Do we need Isak? I mean surely it’s better to get a back-up and Guehi and Fofana?” Meanwhile, a fourth downplayed the hype, reminding others: “Feel like there were similar clips of Darwin, no?”
