Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike Prepared for Premier League Stage
Liverpool have a brand new attacking choice in Hugo Ekitike, a £79m signing from Eintracht Frankfurt who arrives at Anfield with a repute for tempo, talent and scientific ending. The 23-year-old ahead has accomplished a journey from early struggles at Reims, to a studying mortgage in Denmark, to the Bundesliga, and now to the Premier League champions.
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His rise has not been with out challenges. 4 years in the past, Ekitike was nonetheless making an attempt to interrupt by way of at his boyhood membership, Reims, earlier than being despatched to Vejle in Denmark’s Superliga. It was a transfer designed to harden him for top-level soccer.
Early Classes in Denmark
Ekitike joined Vejle as an 18-year-old in January 2021, stepping right into a relegation battle in a league far faraway from the glamour of Anfield. Former Vejle head coach Constantin Galca recollects his debut vividly.
“We put him on for the ultimate 10 minutes as a striker and he didn’t play very nicely, however that’s regular,” Galca says. “You want somewhat time to adapt to the group. However the subsequent recreation we put him left-wing. We noticed earlier than within the clips of him that he had good management, good pace. Earlier than he was enjoying extra as a striker, however we thought he can be harmful on the wing. He’s an ideal participant for contemporary soccer as a result of he has all of the attributes: tempo, talent, physicality and ending.”
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At Vejle, Ekitike confronted the psychological problem of adapting to chilly, darkish Danish winters and the calls for of a brand new soccer tradition. It was two and a half months earlier than he began a match. Galca remembers his gradual transformation.
“The times are brief, the nights are lengthy and it is vitally chilly. However step-by-step, he spoke somewhat extra. He grew to become extra settled within the atmosphere and acquired to know his teammates. He labored very onerous on daily basis and earned the arrogance of his teammates. He was very sensible, studying and adapting to our philosophy in a short time.”
Ekitike grew to become a preferred determine within the dressing room, first to bounce when the music performed and by no means shy about taking over senior gamers in coaching with fast ft and dribbling talent.
Constructing Status in Europe
His return to Reims was decisive. Ekitike scored 10 Ligue 1 objectives in 2021-22, incomes a mortgage transfer to Paris Saint-Germain, which grew to become everlasting for €35m. A swap to Eintracht Frankfurt adopted in 2024, the place he hit 15 objectives in 33 Bundesliga matches final season.
Photograph: IMAGO
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Regardless of his aim report and membership valuations, Ekitike has but to make a senior worldwide look for France. Liverpool consider his potential is but to be totally realised and that he can grow to be one of many recreation’s most feared strikers.
Galca, who usually used Ekitike as a winger, says, “It doesn’t matter if he performed going through or together with his again to the aim, he at all times had an answer, whatever the state of affairs, whether or not he was near aim or additional again up the pitch.”
First Glimpses in Crimson
Ekitike wasted no time in exhibiting Liverpool followers his skill, scoring within the Group Protect win over Crystal Palace by slicing in from the left and curling dwelling. Arne Slot might even see him as an choice each centrally and large, and with a possible transfer for Alexander Isak additionally underneath dialogue, the ahead line might be much more formidable.
Photograph: IMAGO
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Galca attracts comparisons to different abilities he has labored with. “Marco was comparable, enjoying at a really excessive degree, however Ekitiké has extra high quality one towards one. He works more durable, he has higher bodily situation … He would at all times rating extra objectives as a result of he’s the higher finisher.”
From Denmark’s harsh winters to Anfield’s shiny lights, Ekitike’s journey has been considered one of adaptation, perseverance and progress. Liverpool supporters will now watch to see if this funding delivers one other star for the Premier League champions.