![\"Hugo](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_HugoEkitike.jpg\")
Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool v Athletic Club at Anfield on August 4, 2025 in Liverpool, England.(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA\/Getty Images)<\/p>\nHugo Ekitike made his unofficial home debut for Liverpool against Athletic Bilbao on Monday eveningHugo Ekitike of Liverpool during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool v Athletic Club at Anfield on August 4, 2025 in Liverpool, England.(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Hugo Ekitike is relishing being part of Liverpool\u2019s new-look attack. The Frenchman joined the Reds in an initial \u00a369m deal from Eintracht Frankfurt last month.<\/p>\n
The 23-year-old, who is expected to make his competitive debut for the club against Crystal Palace in Sunday\u2019s Community Shield at Wembley, has started two pre-season friendlies since joining the club. Completing 45 minutes on his maiden outing against Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan, he then featured for just short of an hour in Liverpool<\/a>\u2019s 3-2 win over Athletic Bilbao at Anfield<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ekitike<\/a> was partnered with fellow new signing, Florian Wirtz<\/a>, in both matches with the \u00a3116m arrival establishing himself as Arne Slot<\/a>\u2019s first-choice at number 10.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Florian Wirtz makes Premier League admission and reveals truth about \u00a3116m Liverpool transfer issue<\/a>READ MORE: Will Wright speaks after joining Liverpool as transfer decision explained – ‘Earned this opportunity’<\/a><\/p>\n Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah<\/a> and Cody Gakpo have been stationed on the flanks for both matches, with Ekitike claiming his first goal contribution for the club when assisting the Egyptian with a fine run and low cross against Bilbao.<\/p>\n It might be early days in the France Under-21s international\u2019s Reds career, but the forward is already enjoying being part of Slot\u2019s new-look attack.<\/p>\n And while he impressed on his Anfield debut against the La Liga outfit, he promised there is still more to come from him as he made an honest admission about his performance.<\/p>\n \u201cI enjoyed it a lot, it was such a good atmosphere for a first game for me,\u201d he said after his home debut. \u201cI feel proud and I just wish I will play so many games in this stadium because it is amazing.<\/p>\n \u201cI am here now for more than one week so I\u2019m still trying to find connections with the others in the last passes and even before. I enjoy playing with them.<\/p>\n \u201cOutside of the pitch they are good guys also. So, I take pleasure to play with them.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have some little things to fix to get better. Even me with the ball, I knew I could do better today.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I really enjoy playing with them and I\u2019m sure we\u2019re going to make really good things this season.\u201d<\/p>\n Ekitike could win his first trophy as a Liverpool player on Sunday in the Community Shield, and having signed for the Premier League<\/a> champions, he is determined to get his own hands on silverware with the club.<\/p>\n \u201cThe real season starts I think on Sunday for the cup game and we\u2019re looking forward to this,\u201d he told LFC TV<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a group of competitors, we want to win everything. We\u2019re going to give 100 per cent I\u2019m sure. I\u2019m sure about this.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd me also, I\u2019m going to give 100 per cent to win because I\u2019m here to win.\u201d<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Ekitike also took to social media after making his Anfield debut as he sent a message to supporters.<\/p>\n