Liverpool-based journalist James Pearce believes a change of position could soon be coming for Hugo Ekitike, after he was criticised heavily for his goal-shy performance against Paris Saint-Germain.
Liverpool just never got going in the forward areas during their first leg defeat in the Champions League at the hands of Luis Enrique’s rampant hosts.
While the Ligue 1 giants would end the game with 18 attempts registered at the busy Reds net, the Merseyside giants would only muster up three shots in total, having failed to test PSG with a single meaningful shot in the first 45 minutes.
Match Stats: PSG 2 – 0 Liverpool:
| Stat | PSG | Liverpool |
| Goals | 2 | 0 |
| Shots | 18 | 3 |
| Shots on target | 6 | 0 |
| Big chances created | 3 | 0 |
| Expected goals (xG) | 2.2 xG | 0.18 xG |
| Possession | 74% | 26% |
At the centre of much of the criticism at the full-time whistle for his anonymous display up top was Hugo Ekitike, as another game passed the out-of-sorts Frenchman by, without a goal.
Indeed, it has now been four straight games without a goal for the Reims-born centre-forward, who failed to get one over on his ex-employers in PSG.
Instead, after only managing to register one weak effort at Matvey Safonov’s net, before being substituted off during the latter stages of the one-sided game, he would be openly criticised by TalkSPORT pundit, and ex-Aston Villa striker, Gabby Agbonlahor, when the dust had settled on the 2-0 defeat.
“Ekitike was an absolute disgrace” – Agbonlahor’s harsh comments
Gabby Agbonlahor very rarely minces his words as an outspoken pundit on TalkSPORT.
Ekitike’s no-show performance, which saw him win just four duels from 11 attempted, led to a typically uncensored rant from the former Villans hero.
He didn’t hold back when saying: “Ekitike was an absolute disgrace, and we’re big fans of him. He didn’t turn up, he didn’t try, he was lazy. Every time he got one v one, he’d give the ball away.”
Giving up possession a costly 13 times from only 33 touches of the ball, it will be intriguing to see if Slot sticks by his misfiring marksman, especially with the level of criticism he has been dished out with.
James Pearce, who is Liverpool’s designated reporter for The Athletic, believes a change in position could get the very best out of the low-on-confidence 23-year-old.
Pearce’s unique fix for Ekitike
After all, there have been signs during his early Anfield career that the number 22 can be a dangerous attacker when performing at the peak of his powers.
He hasn’t just fluked his 17 goals for the season so far, but despite his previous efficiency in front of goal, Pearce believes Slot might reshuffle his attacking deck and place the ex-Frankfurt striker down the wing in games to come.
Writing for The Athletic, it has been revealed that Liverpool no longer views their £69m signing as an “authentic” number nine.
Rather, they see his long-term future on Merseyside as a second striker or playing off the left channel.
He has played in these positions previously across his career, with three goal contributions coming his way down the left wing, when plying his trade in Denmark and France.
It remains to be seen when Slot will decide to try out Ekitike in these new positions on the pitch, with Alexander Isak perhaps chosen as his main marksman, instead, as he is now back from long-term injury.
