Hugo Ekitike's World Cup chances rated next to Kylian Mbappe by former France striker

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Liverpool.com or go back to LFC Live.

Former French striker Louis Saha weighs in on Hugo Ekitike's early start to life and Liverpool and with the French national team ahead of the impending 2026 World CupHugo Ekitike is up to six caps with France(Image: Getty Images)Liverpool appears to have struck gold with new signing Hugo Ekitike. The 23-year-old's strong play with the Reds has led to his subsequent call-up to France's senior team for the first time, giving him a chance to make the 2026 World Cup squad.Ekitike started his first game for Les Blues in a World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan in October, lining up in a front-two next to Kylian Mbappe.Speaking exclusively to Liverpool.com as part of an interview with FootItalia, longtime Premier League striker and former French international Louis Saha thinks Ekitike could have a nice future with France.READ MORE: Liverpool legend Ian Rush shares update after being rushed to hospital with breathing problemsREAD MORE: Antoine Semenyo 'perfect' for Liverpool as transfer disagreement emerges amid Man City development"Hugo Ekitike has done really well, and he's a very enthusiastic guy, very easy going, I think very honest, he works hard.

So he just came on and did his bit again. There’s amazing simplicity in his game where he's got a lot of technical ability, and still, you can sense that he has a good share of energy."After scoring in three consecutive games to start his Liverpool career, Ekitike earned his first France call-up: he subbed on in a 2-0 win vs Ukraine for winger Ousmane Dembele.Ekitike (R) is eyeing a spot next to Kylian Mbappe in the France World Cup team(Image: Getty Images)The striker tallied an assist in that start against Azerbaijan on a one-two to Mbappe.

Ekitike scored his first goal in the same window (against Ukraine).The 23-year-old has done incredibly well for the Reds, having scored 11 goals in just 1,477 minutes across all competitions (including eight in the Premier League)."He is confident, he provides excitement, he provides a kind of unpredictability, so you can’t easily read his game or what he wants to do," Saha added.Saha represents France in the 2006 World Cup semifinal against Portugual(Image: Getty Images)"At the same time, the kind of choices that he's making, linking up with his teammates, has been impressive, even though Liverpool are not playing so well, it's amazing."Saha knows a thing or two about playing in the World Cup: he played a key role in helping France reach the 2006 final. However, he missed that infamous contest against Italy due to yellow card accumulationSaha played for Newcastle, Fulham, Manchester United, Everton, Tottenham, and Sunderland in the Premier League, winning the title twice with Manchester United.READ MORE: 'Liverpool won't struggle without Alexander Isak - but I want one player to step up now'READ MORE: Jamie Carragher shares Marc Guehi theory amid Liverpool transfer doubt - 'Not 100 percent'Ekitike will get more of a chance to lead the line for Liverpool in 2026 with fellow striker Alexander Isak out injured following his successful surgery to repair a fibula fracture.The Frenchman has partnered with the Swede as part of a front two a handful of times for Reds boss Arne Slot, an important development for potentially earning Ekitike a spot in the French lineup next to Mbappe.