What Hugo Ekitike has done three times now speaks volumes about new Liverpool hero

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Recruiting eight new senior players, it is the most they have spent and the most they have ever signed in a single window.They committed to breaking the British transfer record twice in the process, signing Florian Wirtz in a deal worth up to a potential £116m deal from Bayer Leverkusen before landing Alexander Isak in an £125m switch from Newcastle United on transfer deadline day.In truth, the arrival of the German and the lengthy pursuit of the Swede - along with new signings in both full-back positions in Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez - allowed Liverpool’s third-most expensive arrival to come in almost under the radar without the same weight of expectation.READ MORE: Steve Parish explains real reason Marc Guehi Liverpool transfer collapsed - 'Based on advice'READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp makes huge Florian Wirtz claim amid Liverpool strugglesHugo Ekitike joined the Reds in a deal worth up to £79m from Eintracht Frankfurt, snubbing interest from the likes of Newcastle United and Manchester United in order to move to Anfield.Now three months into his Liverpool career, he is already a firm fan-favourite after enjoying an explosive start that has far exceeded the outlay of any of his fellow new arrivals.From his first 10 appearances, Ekitike boasts an eye-catching five goals and an assist. This includes a Merseyside derby winner and goals on his debut and maiden Premier League appearance as he became the first Reds player since Daniel Sturridge in 2013 to score in each of his first three appearances for the club.A red card after netting the winner against Southampton in the League Cup, for which he swiftly apologised after celebrating by removing his shirt, has been the only blemish.

They are the people I used to watch."When Torres joined Liverpool, like Wirtz and Isak, he was the name on everyone’s lips.But it was a different story for Ekitike, when judged by those outside of Anfield at least.When still actively pursuing Isak in July, Liverpool’s move was perceived to be little more than a power-play to threaten Newcastle by onlookers - ‘either sell us your star striker or we sign your first-choice target to replace him.’Yet it soon became apparent that the Reds’ interest in Ekitike long pre-dated the Magpies’ own. They wanted both.Even then, plenty was made of Ekitike’s decision to still join Liverpool despite their interest in one of Europe’s leading strikers, questioning his wisdom in completing such a move when he could perhaps expect to only end up on the bench behind Isak.But that shows a lack of awareness of his career to date.Ekitike joined Paris Saint-Germain on loan from Reims in July 2022 in a deal which included a mandatory €35m buy option when still only 20.At the time, PSG’s first-choice front three was the star-studded trio of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.Unsurprisingly, Ektitike did not start too often.

But looking back, Ekitike can now appreciate his time in Paris that little bit more."I was young and I climbed quickly, even though I had a lot of things to learn and store up, but that's how it happened,” he told TNT Sports of his time in Paris last December."I wouldn't wish it on anyone, it's not easy. I think I've got a good head and I'm continuing to work to be the best I can be."At the time, I didn't see things like that (that I was fortunate to be at PSG) because I wanted to play."But it's only now, after spending a lot of time at home reflecting on what happened, that I've realised that I've been lucky enough to be in a place where no one else has been."I'm always on a quest to learn.