Hugo Ekitike could already be regretting Newcastle decision following Liverpool snub
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net.
Charlie Grace
Wed 17 September 2025 22:10, UK
Hugo Ekitike was left out of Liverpool’s starting 11 as Arne Slot’s side kicked off their Champions League campaign in impressive fashion beating Atletico Madrid 3-2.
Ekitike joined Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt this summer and has started the season in red-hot form.
Ekitike is now at risk of being displaced at Liverpool, with Alexander Isak arriving in a record-breaking deadline day deal, worth £125 million.
Hugo Ekitike 2025-26Goals2Assists1Key passes per 901.21Shot-creating actions per 902.71Progressive carries per 901.52Hugo Ekitike’s start to the season (FBref)
Ekitike has played on the left in his career, but Cody Gakpo’s form has also been scintillating to start the season.
MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES
The 23-year-old will look to fight for his place in Liverpool’s starting 11 and will believe he has what it takes to earn back a spot in Slot’s starting side.
Speaking in the build-up to Liverpool’s 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid on BBC 5 Live, French football expert Julien Laurens spoke about whether he felt Ekitike would have moved to the Reds had he known Isak would have also signed.
He signed after a first approach from Liverpool to Newcastle for Isak, when they closed the door.
“That was before Isak went on strike and stopped training with them and then Liverpool reverted to Ekitike, who was on his way to Newcastle because he was supposed to be the replacement, or to play together if nobody came for Isak,” Laurens added.
You could play Ekitike from the start but off the left, but that’s not really his position.
“It was just one of Ekitike and Isak [in the team] and it was never going to be Ekitike over Isak if Isak was fit.”
Ekitike will know that, although Isak is currently playing ahead of him, Liverpool have plenty of games to come this season, and rotation will be necessary for Slot.