Hugo Ekitike Outlines Clear Champions League Ambition as Liverpool Focus Shifts

Liverpool FC's summer signing Hugo Ekitike has expressed his strong desire to help the club dominate in the Champions League, amid a season of remarkable achievements and shifting team priorities.[1]

The 23-year-old French striker joined Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt in July 2025 for a club-record fee of up to €95 million (£82.4 million), including €80 million initial payment and €15 million in add-ons.[1] Ekitike quickly made his mark, debuting in the FA Community Shield with a goal against Crystal Palace, followed by his Premier League debut goal in a 4-2 win over Bournemouth.[1] He netted the winner in the EFL Cup against Southampton—earning a red card in celebration—and scored his first Champions League goal for Liverpool in a 5-1 thrashing of Frankfurt.[1]

In the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League, Ekitike has played 6 matches, logging 404 minutes with 1 goal from 18 shots, boasting 85.34% pass accuracy and a top speed of 34.89 km/h.[2] Upcoming fixtures include Liverpool vs. Real Madrid (Nov 4, 2025), vs. PSV (Nov 26), Inter vs. Liverpool (Dec 9), and more into January 2026.[4]

Ekitike's form peaked with a historic 94th-minute winner in the FA Cup third round against Barnsley, securing a 4-1 victory and advancing Liverpool.[3][5][6] This goal made him the first Reds player since Kenny Dalglish in 1977/78 to score in five different competitions this season: Premier League, Champions League, Carabao Cup, Community Shield, and FA Cup.[3][5][6] In 27 appearances, he has 12 goals and 3 assists, proving the transfer's value.[3][5]

As Liverpool's focus shifts toward Champions League glory under Arne Slot, Ekitike's ambitions align perfectly. Recovering from injury, he came off the bench to assist and score against Barnsley, eyeing more records. Next up: Premier League vs. Burnley, then Marseille in UCL.[5] His integration signals a bright future for the Reds' European hopes.

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