Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike has reflected on the fast-paced start to life at Anfield after his move to the club, opening up about the adjustment during a interview with TNT Sports pundit Owen Hargreaves.
The Reds striker admitted the early weeks of his Liverpool career have been a whirlwind as he continues to settle into his new surroundings and the demands of playing for the Merseyside club.
Ekitike has been thrust into the spotlight more than he might have anticipated, after making a big £69m switch from Eintracht Frankfurt to Anfield, owing to Alexander Isak’s recurring injury issues.
Indeed, the French attacker has already made 39 appearances for Arne Slot’s side as the main man leading the line, and he has for the most part relished that responsibility.
The red-hot number 22 has amassed a very impressive 16 goals in all competitions this season, which included this lightning-quick strike being put away with ease against Newcastle United where the Reds went on to win 4-1 in February.
He has been prone to a stumble in form as well, though, with that blistering effort beating Nick Pope just one of three goals he has smashed home across his last nine outings in all competitions.
Ekitike was notably off the pace of the Champions League contest at Galatasaray, when routinely fluffing his line, as he tries to now come out the other side of this indifferent patch of form.
The former Paris St. Germain striker opened up to ex-Manchester United midfielder Hargreaves during a recent tell-all interview, as he looks to improve and better himself, the more his Anfield journey chugs along.
The main takeaways from Ekitike’s interview
Straight off the bat, Hargreaves is very complimentary of the brand-new Liverpool number 22, by stating: “I think you could be one of the best strikers in the world.”
This is quite a wild shout from the former Bayern Munich playmaker, but he is right to an extent, as Ekitike has proven himself to be quite the nusiance to thwart, at full flow in the Premier League.
Ekitike humbly responded by stating: “I think I can. I think I can. There’s like room for improvement.”
Hugo Ekitike: The Statistical “Pros & Cons” (2025/26):
| The strengths | Key stat | The weaknesses | Key stat |
| Goal volume | 16 goals overall | Clinical finishing | 11 big chances missed |
| Shot quality | +1.58 xG difference | Aerial dominance | 37% aerial success |
| Elite speed | 34.89 km/h | Discipline/timing | 10 offsides |
| Creative link-up | 6 assists | Ball retention | 31.5% possession loss |
Interestingly, the 23-year-old has noted that there is room for improvement, as he does have some glaring weaknesses when looking at the table above, with only 37% of his aerial duels won this season, donning Liverpool red.
Still, it’s also abundantly clear why Hargreaves was waxing lyrical about his immense potential, with 20 chances created – away from his 11 Premier League goals showing off an extremely well-rounded presence, who might well go on to be recognised as one of the world’s best.
He further goes on to state that he believes Anfield is the exact right place he belongs to try and reach that esteemed status.
Ekitike further elaborates: “I’m exactly where I wanted to be… being involved in big competition, big club, big players. It’s really exciting.”
He could be the bright spark that allows Liverpool to propel back into the top four picture, and also pull off a second leg comeback against Oran Buruk’s men, as it’s clear that Ekitike is a confident figure.
Only getting started with his Anfield journey, it’s frightening to think what levels the Frenchman could hit in time.
For the time being, though, Slot will just want more goals to flow from his marksman, to ensure the 25/26 season doesn’t fizzle out in a drab manner.
