Liverpool more scary with Ekitike

The signing of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and especially Hugo Ekitike for a fee that could reach £79 million (around €90 million) will refresh the Liverpool squad and mark a complete revolution. The image and influence of Jurgen Klopp are now a thing of the past, as coach Slot creates a new team of his own.

Strategic Contract

Hugo Ekitike, 23, joined Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt for a fee that could reach 90 million euros, becoming one of the most expensive contracts in the summer of 2025. Why did Liverpool agree to spend so much on a rookie striker, after owning Florian Wirtz for more than 125 million euros?

Ekitike scored 15 goals and provided eight assists in 31 Bundesliga games in 2024/25, ranking fifth in the league for goal contributions last season. He was also one of the Bundesliga's top scorers in possession, running into space and cutting in behind the defence.

With 44 chances created from open play, Ekitike also outpaced every other Bundesliga forward last season in terms of playmaking ability. However, Ekitike's weakness was his finishing, with a conversion rate of just 12.8% from 117 shots, resulting in an actual efficiency of 6.6 goals lower than xG - the biggest difference in Europe's big five leagues.

However, compared to Alexander Isak at the same age (2021/22 season at Real Sociedad, scored 6 goals, conversion rate 8.2%, xG lower than 3.8), Ekitike is still expected to improve his finishing ability in the future. His ability to dribble (126 times, ranked 5th in the Bundesliga), leading the number of shots (44) and scoring 4 goals from quick counter-attacks also show that Ekitike is a modern striker, suitable for Liverpool's trend of quick transitions.

Slot Calculation

In his first year at Liverpool, Arne Slot built a team with a more composed style of play than his predecessor Klopp. "The Kop" under the Dutch coach tended to play in control, closer to the style of Pep Guardiola.

However, with the signings of Ekitike, Wirtz, Frimpong and Kerkez, Slot seems to be building a Liverpool side that is direct, fast and focused on quick transitions. Ekitike is similar in style to Isak but with added flair and superior dribbling ability.

With his all-round ability, from ball control, creation to dribbling, Ekitike promises to combine well with Florian Wirtz and Mohamed Salah.

Both Ekitike and Wirtz are good at passing in one touch, penetrating the penalty area and are used to the fast-paced style of play in the Bundesliga, promising to form an explosive attacking duo next season. Liverpool's €200m-plus signings of Ekitike and Wirtz show that Slot is adjusting to the modern Premier League, where speed and quick transitions are increasingly important.

In 2024/25, Mohamed Salah contributed to 47 of Liverpool's 86 goals (55%), mainly from the right flank, while Trent Alexander-Arnold often moved centrally. However, with Frimpong - an attacking right-back with a tendency to stick to the wing - joining, Salah could be freed up to move centrally, supporting Wirtz, Liverpool's first No. 10 in years.

Ekitike, who played as a striker in a 3-5-2 at Frankfurt with Marmoush and a 4-4-2 at Reims, could fit alongside Salah in a 4-2-3-1. Frimpong would take the right wing, allowing Salah and Ekitike to rotate positions, with Wirtz and a 'number 8' type of midfielder supporting behind.

Clearly, the high-priced signing of Hugo Ekitike is a major milestone in Arne Slot’s squad revolution at Liverpool, moving the team towards a fast and direct transitional style. With his all-round ability, from ball control, to creating and dribbling, Ekitike promises to combine well with Florian Wirtz and Mohamed Salah, creating a formidable attack.

Source: https://znews.vn/liverpool-dang-so-hon-voi-ekitike-post1571199.html