Hugo Ekitike thinks he should've scored more for Liverpool, but what do the numbers say
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Rousing the Kop or go back to LFC Live.
Hugo Ekitike has claimed that he should have scored more than the 16 goals he has managed for Liverpool since arriving from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer.The Frenchman made it 11 in the Premier League with a well-taken effort against West Ham on Saturday, but spoke out after the game to admit his tally could have been better.Ekitike said he is ‘not that happy’ with his form in front of goal, and though many Liverpool fans are likely to disagree, he has indeed missed some big chances in recent weeks. So, what do the numbers say about Ekitike?Ekitike is overperforming in the Premier LeagueOne of the biggest worries about Ekitike when Liverpool were rumoured to be in for him last summer was his underperformance for Eintracht.The 23-year-old scored ‘only’ 15 from an xG of 21.67, or 14 non-penalty goals from an xG of 19.31.
Either way, he did not hit the net as often as the data said he should.This season, domestically at least, Ekitike has actually ironed out some of those issues. He has 11.Photo by Michael Regan/Getty ImagesUnfortunately, his wastefulness has still been seen in the Champions League, where Ekitike has scored two goals from an xG of 4.62.
That could do with improving.He does have one goal from 0.52 in the FA Cup, though, and one from 1.03 in the Carabao Cup, putting a bit of gloss on his numbers overall.READ MORE: Move over Luis Suarez, Hugo Ekitike stat shows he’s a Liverpool superstar in the makingEkitike is still missing big chancesAlthough he is looking better in the bigger picture, and really should not be too hard on himself, it is clear that Ekitike is still missing big chances for Liverpool.Heading has been his real problem, and he missed very good openings against all of Man City, Sunderland and Nottingham Forest. To put things into context, the average penalty is worth around 0.75 xG.On the flipside of that, Ekitike generally scores goals from positions he perhaps should not have.