Hugo Ekitike has been on track since his summer trip to Liverpool, but has been forced to look after bystanders after being sent to Southampton.
Hugo Ekitike, who was plagued by the likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, and more, is keen on the competition in Liverpool. The French forward thinks it is an expression of £125 million Isaac expressing his enthusiasm for teaming up with the Swedish star.
“We play for such a big club, but we can’t see one big club playing with just one striker,” Ekitike said at a pre-game press conference for the Reds ahead of the Champions League clash with Galatasaray. “It’s good that he’s here even for me. There’s a lot to improve and learn.”
After halting at Crystal Palace during Liverpool’s 2-1 Premier League defeat, Ekitique is in the fight to return to the starting lineup with Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Isaac has earned Match Fitness and played 84 minutes in a loss at Selhurst Park.
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Ekitike and Isak haven’t played together yet, but each of them welcomes others in recent matches, but Ekitike is confident in their partnership. “I composed two strikers and played with one striker, so I can do a lot,” he told Liverpool Echo.
“If we have to play together, I can do that. The coaches don’t talk a lot about what I play or where I need to play.
“He gave me a lot of freedom in terms of being able to link with the boys and going behind me. I can do a lot. He wants me to bring my football to the team.”
Ekitike found herself lacking in action at Selhurst Park after receiving a second bookable attack march order last weekend.
“It wasn’t clever,” he admitted. “I was a bit disappointed to see the boy from home on Saturday, and as I said before, I’ve already apologized to everyone to my teammates – that’s not going to happen again.”
Since his £709 million transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt in July, the 23-year-old has gotten off to an impressive start, contributing to five goals and assists.
“Did you know I would play that way? No,” Ekitique reflected. “But that’s what I work for. I think I’ve been very calm. It really helped the boys, staff and everyone in the club to adapt to this new environment. I think everything went well.”
Despite his recent form, Ekitique has yet to appear in Champions League matches, and has come off the bench four times in a tournament against Paris Saint-Germain and played 30 minutes in a 3-2 victory over Liverpool’s Atletico Madrid two weeks ago.
“When I played with PSG, I was young and on the bench and I was looking more,” he said. “I think this is my time, people who come to this team to help them achieve success in the Champions League.
“Indeed, in a certain way, they gave me lessons in PSG. I was playing with one of the best players in history and perhaps the best players. You can hear them.
“I learned a lot from back then and I can make a difference for my team.”
Despite Liverpool’s improved team still finding the rhythm of this campaign, Ekitike is confident that everything will eventually gel under Arne Slot’s guidance.
“It’s going to be a tough game to play here at Galatasaray,” he added. “This is the start of the season. We still have to find connections and adapt to each other. I think it’s going to be better, and I’m confident.”
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