Hugo Ekitike questioned over Liverpool transfer decision - 'I can't believe'
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(Credit: Imago)
Edward Bazeley
Sun 14 September 2025 18:00, UK
Hugo Ekitike has been warned that he made the wrong choice joining Liverpool, thanks to their acquisition of fellow striker Alexander Isak.
After Ekitike joined Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt, the 23-year-old began the season as Arne Slot’s first-choice striker.
Credit: Imago
However, Liverpool signed Isak from Newcastle United on transfer deadline day, dampening Ekitike’s chances of enjoying regular starting 11 opportunities throughout the season.
As well as acquiring striker Isak and Ekitike, Liverpool strengthened their defence by signing Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong from Bournemouth and Bayer Leverkusen, respectively.
Meanwhile, speaking live on beIN SPORTS ahead of the Reds’ Premier League clash with Burnley on Sunday, 14 September, Andy Gray said: “If you’re being sold to a team like Liverpool, and Ekitike was being, okay, Newcastle were in the asking.
“Ekitike’s joining Liverpool, he speaks to them, he certainly would have asked them, ‘What’s your plans for me?’, ‘What do you see me doing?’, and I can’t believe he joined the team after being told, ‘Well we’re going to sign you, but after we’ve got you, we’re going to buy Alexander Isak for double the price you’ve cost, so you’re going to play a few games, but you won’t play quite as much as you might expect.
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“I would have said I’m sorry, but I want to play football, I’m a young, mid-twenties, international, I don’t want to come and sit on your bench for seven out of 10 games.“
As alluded to by Gray, Ekitike is not at a stage of his career when he should be content with playing second fiddle to Isak, having notched 22 goals and 12 assists in 48 appearances for Frankfurt last season.
Liverpool’s next three fixturesAll competitions 2025/2617/09Atletico Madrid (H)20/09Everton (H)23/09Southampton (H)Slot must rotate Isak and Ekitike in Liverpool’s upcoming fixtures
Therefore, with the former Newcastle man likely to be favoured over the ex-Bundesliga forward for the majority of the Premier League season, Ekitike will hope to feature in competitions like the Champions League and the Carabao Cup.
Isak will likely be favoured over the 23-year-old in high-profile European clashes against sides like Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid, but the France international should be trusted to cause problems in upcoming clashes with Galatasaray and Frankfurt.
Furthermore, Ekitike should fancy his chances of being selected over Isak in the Carabao Cup clash with Southampton on 23 September.
Slot is lucky to have two high-profile strikers at his disposal, but the Dutchman must manage their respective minutes well.
Meanwhile, football commentator Ian Darke has outlined what Florian Wirtz will bring to the Reds as the season continues in a Liverpool News 247 exclusive.