Liverpool fans got their first sighting of Hugo Ekitike on Wednesday as they faced Yokohama F.

Marinos in Japan.

The Reds woke up to tsunami warnings out in the Far East, but their game in Yokohama was given the green light to go ahead.

Excitement for the game was heightened after seeing Arne Slot name a strong Liverpool team after defeat against AC Milan on Saturday.

Liverpool fans give first verdict on Hugo Ekitike after new signing makes debut	Liverpool team vs Yokohama Marinos predicted with Hugo Ekitike debut and transfer hint	Liverpool vs Yokohama LIVE: £79m new boy Hugo Ekitike makes his Liverpool debut as Premier League champions look to impress in Japan despite tsunami threat

That included a first ever Reds appearance for Ekitike, who completed a £69m move from Eintracht Frankfurt last week.

The Frenchman featured for the first 45 minutes through the middle of Liverpool’s front three, coming close to scoring with an improvised, flicked effort at the front post.

Liverpool supporters were pleased with Ekitike’s efforts, and speaking at half-time, former Reds midfielder Jan Molby gave his verdict on what he’d seen from Slot’s newest addition.

Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Although they have signed Ekitike as a central option, Liverpool are still trying to buy Alexander Isak as well.

This has led to some intrigue over how Ekitike will be used, with the Frenchman himself suggesting that he likes to play as a versatile forward and sometimes with a strike partner.

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Wednesday was the first look at how he could fit into Liverpool’s team, and speaking to LFCTV at half-time, Molby gave his initial verdict on what kind of striker Ekitike really is.

“I think he’s done ok,” said the Liverpool legend.

“He’s a central striker and that area’s been crowded with Szoboszlai and Wirtz and the Japanese players in there, there’s not a lot of time.”

READ MORE: Why Ben Doak couldn’t play for Liverpool vs Yokohama F.

He’s willing and trying to look for areas to try and influence the game.

“He’ll be almost over-excited, his first opportunity to play for Liverpool,” Molby added.

If this was the XI lining up for Liverpool’s opening game of the 2025/26 Premier League season, no one would be surprised.

Ekitike could be a part of that, and the fact that Slot threw his new player straight into the line-up shows the need to get him up to speed quickly.

Liverpool could sign Isak, of course, and Alexis Mac Allister will likely be a part of Slot’s strongest team moving forward.

Ekitike is going to play a big part in that.