From Reims to the Reds - Hugo Ekitike's remarkable journey to becoming new Liverpool hero

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While the rest of his game overflows with expressionism, he’s ice cold in those moments.At just 23, there’s a reassuring maturity in that. “I think he’s just going to get better and better, what a signing he’s been so far.”“The main positive is these two [Ekitike and Wirtz]… the timing of the pass and the finish, they’re growing and evolving and that connection, they’re on the same wavelength.”His scintillating club form has opened the door to international recognition.

“He's from Reims, born in Reims, and had never lived so far away for so long, which helped him develop as both a player and a person.”“Then, he had to prove himself under a new coach Oscar Garcia, and this led to the superb 2021-2022 season, where he established himself as the main striker.”Ekitike took off. International recognition with the France Under-21 squad followed."It was a lot of work from us, but also from him," Eintracht Frankfurt sporting director Timmo Hardung told the BBC, prior to Ekitike’s goalscoring return to his old club with Liverpool in October."He had to do the tough part, the hard work and training, trying to listen to some tough feedback and that's not always nice to hear, but we try to be honest with players because that's the only way you can bring them forward."He was able to work with that feedback to put in a good work ethic, good effort in training.“He improved every day, gave it his best shot and then the rest was done by his talent."The extra playing time – double the minutes he’d played in any previous season – saw Ekitike’s game flourish.

This would be no different.“It's a character trait he's always had. That's what he does”