Alan Shearer delivers reluctant Hugo Ekitike Liverpool verdict as Viktor Gyokeres message sent

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Newcastle United icon Alan Shearer.(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Alan Shearer has lavished praise on Liverpool star Hugo Ekitike but believes Viktor Gyokeres will prove to be the individual signing of the summer.

The Reds completed the signing of Ekitike back in July after the striker snubbed late interest from Manchester United.

Gyokeres, on the other hand, moved to the Emirates Stadium from Sporting Clube de Portugal last month after impressing for the Liga Portugal side.



The Sweden international scored his first goal for the Gunners against Leeds United last weekend.

However, Ekitike, who also could have moved to Newcastle United this summer, has made a flying start to life in England.

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After scoring in the Community Shield against Crystal Palace, the forward has two in two in the Premier League - after strikes against Bournemouth and the Magpies.

And although Shearer admits that Ekitike has made an impressive start to life in England, he has thrown his backing behind Gyokeres to be the best individual signing of the summer.

He told Betfair: "Hugo Ekitike has had a flying start, hasn't he?

I'll say that Gyokeres will be the best individual signing."

Lavishing praise on Ekitike, former Arsenal forward Thierry Henry told Betway: "Hugo had an outstanding season with Reims.

"He came out of nowhere, he's a local boy, and he took the league by storm.

You're not going to start a lot, so he struggled.

"He went to Germany, and we saw what he did last year.

Liverpool remain interested in a deal for the Swede.

Meanwhile, Marc Guehi has been a player of interest all summer and Liverpool could still launch a last-minute deal for the Crystal Palace defender.

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"I remember we were looking at him for France Under-21s, but he wasn't playing much at the time so it was difficult to take him.

"Now he's playing for Liverpool, he has already scored, and what's good with him is that he has both - he's a very good finisher in the box and can also play on the counter because he's fast.