‘Cracks me up’ – Will Still makes candid admission about ‘incredibly annoying’ Liverpool player

Hugo Ekitike, Liverpool’s £69 million signing from Eintracht Frankfurt, continues to demonstrate his value as part of Liverpool’s attacking lineup early in the 2025 season. After scoring a decisive winner against Everton, Ekitike has shown he is unfazed by the pressure brought on by the transfer fee and the high expectations at Anfield. He remains focused on delivering strong performances during matches rather than being burdened by off-pitch considerations.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot praised Ekitike’s impact, highlighting the importance of having two high-quality No. 9 forwards given the intensity and frequency of the Premier League fixtures. Slot noted that Ekitike is still adapting coming from a different league and cannot be expected to sustain full 90-minute, high-intensity performances three times a week yet. This underlines how Liverpool benefits from competition and rotation between Ekitike and fellow forward Alexander Isak, who, despite commanding a record £125 million fee, shares the goal-scoring responsibilities.

Liverpool fans have warmly received Ekitike, appreciating his ability to operate effectively as a central striker, as seen in his goal against Everton after an assist from Ryan Gravenberch. Former player Stephen Warnock also praised the French striker’s continuous improvement, suggesting that the initial outlay for Ekitike is starting to look like a sound investment. With 22 goals scored at Frankfurt last season, Ekitike’s early performances indicate strong potential to succeed at Anfield and contribute significantly to Liverpool’s ongoing campaign.