{"id":286711,"date":"2025-07-24T01:59:21","date_gmt":"2025-07-24T01:59:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/286711\/"},"modified":"2025-07-24T01:59:21","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T01:59:21","slug":"will-ekitike-be-a-hit-at-liverpool","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/286711\/","title":{"rendered":"Will Ekitike be a hit at Liverpool?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The tangled web involving Liverpool, Newcastle United, Alexander Isak<\/strong> (\u00a310.5m) and Hugo Ekitike<\/strong> finally resolved itself on Wednesday: the Reds have now officially captured the latter.<\/p>\n

Frankfurt are experts at buying forwards cheap and selling them high \u2013 the previous one being Omar Marmoush<\/strong> (\u00a38.5m) in January. Here, they\u2019re receiving an initial \u00a369m that should rise to \u00a379m.<\/p>\n

So, will the 23-year-old start improving his goal numbers and become a top Fantasy Premier League (FPL) asset?<\/p>\n

In this latest Scout Report, we take a look at his career and upcoming season.<\/p>\n

HISTORY<\/p>\n

Born in June 2002, Ekitike started at youth level with local team Cormontreuil FC before joining the Stade de Reims academy in 2013.<\/p>\nSTARTS (SUB)GOALSASSISTS<\/tr>\n\n2024\/25<\/td>\nEintracht Frankfurt<\/td>\nBundesliga<\/td>\n31 (2)<\/td>\n15<\/td>\n8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2023\/24<\/td>\nEintracht Frankfurt (loan)<\/td>\nBundesliga<\/td>\n7 (7)<\/td>\n4<\/td>\n2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2023\/24<\/td>\nParis Saint-Germain<\/td>\nLigue 1<\/td>\n0 (1)<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2022\/23<\/td>\nParis Saint-Germain (loan)<\/td>\nLigue 1<\/td>\n12 (13)<\/td>\n3<\/td>\n4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2021\/22<\/td>\nReims<\/td>\nLigue 1<\/td>\n15 (9)<\/td>\n10<\/td>\n4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

He made his senior Ligue 1 debut for them in 2020, before heading out on loan to Danish club Vejle Boldklub for a bit.<\/p>\n

Ekitike\u2019s breakthrough campaign came in 2021\/22, scoring 11 goals from 16 starts in all competitions. He was close to joining Newcastle halfway through, but ultimately elected to remain in his hometown.<\/p>\n

Six months later, Paris Saint-Germain came calling. Following seven early attacking returns, the initial loan deal became permanent for around \u20ac28.5m, plus a few million bonuses.<\/p>\n

However, back then, it was a struggle to get game time ahead of their superstars. He didn\u2019t even make PSG\u2019s 2023\/24 Champions League squad, leading to a winter loan move.<\/p>\n

Like before, Frankfurt were impressed with his potential and soon made it permanent for a cut-price \u20ac16.5m fee. And Ekitike really stepped up last season, gaining widespread attention thanks to 15 goals and eight assists in the Bundesliga, accruing another four and three when reaching the Europa League quarter-finals.<\/p>\n

Domestically, Die Adler finished third, successfully qualifying for this season\u2019s Champions League.<\/p>\n

But the World Cup is less than a year away and he\u2019s still without a cap for France\u2019s senior squad.<\/p>\n

PLAYING STYLE\"Ekitike,<\/p>\n

Capable of playing as both a lone striker or in a two-man frontline, Ekitike offers a physical 6ft 3in presence but is also quick and agile, sometimes drifting out wide to draw opposing centre-backs out of position before dashing in behind \u2013 or through \u2013 backlines using speed and strength.<\/p>\n

A capable dribbler, he makes plenty of direct runs with the ball at his feet and frequently finds space in the box. It means he\u2019s well-positioned to receive through balls, attack crosses and latch onto rebounds.<\/p>\n

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\u201cHis tactical understanding is one of his great strengths. He is versatile and not just a striker who feels at home inside the box. Ekitike might not be the most dynamic player, but he can get past defenders with smart moves.\u201d \u2013 German football writer Constantin Eckner<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

And while it\u2019s not often been demanded of him at Frankfurt, Ekitike has shown promising signs of being willing to press and regain the ball high up the pitch. This will endear him to Slot.<\/p>\n

His efficiency could use some improvement, though. A decent 15 goals came in the league, but from an expected goals (xG) figure of 21.7 which was the Bundesliga\u2019s second-highest.<\/p>\n

Such underachievement is partly influenced by his willingness to shoot from anywhere. Nobody bettered Ekitike\u2019s 115 total attempts, not even top-scorer Harry Kane. This brought a poor conversion rate (13%), and a low 41% of these shots were on target.<\/p>\n

Still, he found himself in the Bundesliga\u2019s top 10 for efforts on target per 90, with a rate of just under two.<\/p>\n

Alongside approximately four shots per 90 and a similar number of shot-creating actions that put him number one for expected goal involvement (xGI, 27.1), Ekitike\u2019s prospects look promising. He\u2019s joining a Liverpool side that had by far the most big chances (150) and created opportunities (511).<\/p>\n

\"FPL<\/p>\n

In fact, his xGI would\u2019ve placed only behind new teammate Mohamed Salah<\/strong> (\u00a314.5m), from 33 appearances rather than 38.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, Ekitike also ranked in the Bundesliga\u2019s upper percentiles for progressive carries, touches in the opposition penalty box and successful take-ons per 90.<\/p>\n

WHERE EKITIKE FITS IN AT LIVERPOOL\"\"<\/p>\n

We spoke briefly about Ekitike\u2019s position in Frankfurt\u2019s line-up in Marmoush\u2019s Scout Report<\/a>, from earlier this year.<\/p>\n

The duo often played together, with the Egyptian usually being a second striker, attacking midfield or left-sided forward role, and Ekitike used as a more traditional centre-forward. With Liverpool spending so much, expect him to lead Arne Slot\u2019s attack.<\/p>\n

His pace and dribbling ability could see him interchange with whoever plays out wide, as we often saw in-game between Luis Diaz<\/strong> (\u00a38.0m) and Cody Gakpo<\/strong> (\u00a37.5m). This would more likely involve him drifting to the left before cutting inside onto his stronger right foot.<\/p>\n

Ekitike\u2019s experience playing in a two-pronged frontline could also give Slot the flexibility to experiment, knowing he has a new pair of attacking full-backs to accommodate<\/a>. If Diaz stays, amid interest from Bayern Munich, we know he and Gakpo are capable of delivering up front. Darwin Nunez<\/strong> (\u00a36.5m) is currently at the club, too.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, Ekitike is highly unlikely to snatch penalty duties from Salah. He mightn\u2019t even surpass Gakpo as second choice. But he wasn\u2019t relying on them in 2024\/25, scoring just once from the spot.<\/p>\n

One other thing to point out is that he was taken off in 22 of 33 Bundesliga occasions and seven of 12 Europa League outings. It\u2019s worth keeping an eye on whether he\u2019s often one of the first men withdrawn by Slot.<\/p>\n

WHAT FPL PRICE SHOULD WE EXPECT?\"FPL<\/p>\n

FPL\u2019s chosen price will mostly determine how much pre-season interest he\u2019ll receive.<\/p>\n

Although he\u2019s the presumed starting striker for the reigning champions, anything \u00a39.0m or more would feel a bit steep. This is a player who has only recently begun to properly flourish and lacks top-level experience.<\/p>\n

Diaz, Gakpo and Nunez \u2013 the latter two classed as forwards \u2013 started last season at \u00a37.5m. That would be incredibly appealing, should Ekitike nail down the number nine role. In comparison, Diaz and Gakpo began their first seasons at \u00a38.0m, while Nunez entered the game at \u00a39.0m.<\/p>\n

Here are the starting prices of some previous Bundesliga purchases:<\/p>\n