Hugo Ekitike given big incentive to finish his season strongly at Liverpool - opinion
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Liverpool could be set to reap the rewards as Hugo Ekitike aims to nail down a place as a starter for France during this summer’s World Cup.Ekitike has slowly become more of a factor in Didier Deschamps’ team as the season has progressed, with the March international break showcasing that he is now seen as part of Les Bleus’ best XI.Deschamps fielded two very different teams over the past few days, picking a much stronger outfit against Brazil, and more of a fringe squad for Sunday’s win over Colombia. With Ekitike picked as part of his best XI, the onus is now on the 23-year-old to use his form with Liverpool to cement a spot in the team.
Two of the best young coaches in Europe 🙌 Photo by Alvaro Medranda/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images Ekitike must convince Deschamps of a starting roleIt truly is a feather in Ekitike’s cap that he has muscled his way into a French forward line which can put any in the world to shame.But with players such as Desire Doue, Randal Kolo Muani and Marcus Thuram snapping at his heels, the Liverpool No. 22 must not take his foot off the pedal now.If he does, France have so many players ready to step in and join Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise as part of an elite attacking unit.Photo by Michael Owens/Getty ImagesREAD MORE: Norway manager confirms Erling Haaland situation after Man City striker left out before Liverpool clashWith no more international matches to come before the World Cup squads are announced, all Ekitike can do to convince Deschamps is perform and show up for Liverpool.It has undoubtedly been an excellent debut Anfield campaign for the former Eintracht striker, but if he is to really make that France place his own, he must deliver in Liverpool’s big games in the final part of the season.
Ekitike can become France – and Liverpool’s – go-to strikerEkitike has already shown that he can rise to the challenge of competition for his place. 22 won the day by playing well and scoring goals, and now faced with a similar situation for his national team, Ekitike must answer back and do the same again.Liverpool have some enormous matches coming across the next six weeks, and if Ekitike can turn up in the latter stages of the Champions League especially, he can remove any doubts that he should be one of France’s main men in the USA, Canada and Mexico this summer.The incentive of winning trophies with Liverpool should obviously be more than enough to get the best out of any player, but as he aims for glory with the Reds, Ekitike should also have one eye further ahead.