‘Ekitike to take Liverpool to the next level’ as incredible figures emerge
Hugo Ekitike could be about to take Liverpool to the next level as he edges ever closer to completing his move.
The Frenchman enjoyed a fantastic season in the Bundesliga last term, but he now looks destined to make the switch to the Premier League this summer.
Liverpool have finally agreed a deal to sign Ekitike, who appears set to make the switch to Merseyside for an initial fee of over £82million.
Arne Slot’s side were already a fearsome proposition as they raced to the league title last time out, but their latest addition could be about to take them up another notch.
Ekitike will be a huge threat in Liverpool’s transitions
Slot’s Liverpool team caused huge problems on the break for opponents in 2024/25, and that looks unlikely to change with Ekitike’s arrival.
The Reds recorded more goals from fast breaks than any other team in the league in last term, according to statistics provided by the Premier League (27 April), as they were able to successfully recreate elements of Jurgen Klopp’s previous counter-attacking brilliance.
As impressive as the champions were in transition last season, they may be about to reach another level entirely by adding Ekitike to their attack.
The 23-year-old’s stats from last season are nothing short of incredible, especially when compared to other strikers across Europe.
Ekitike ranks in the 96th percentile (the top four per cent) of strikers in Europe’s ‘big five’ leagues when it comes to progressive carries and successful take-ons, according to FBref.
That should see him terrorise Premier League defences when Liverpool break forward.
The rangy frontman has an unprecedented ball-carrying ability for a striker, and that will make him a perfect fit to capitalise on the situations that Slot’s side create in the attacking half.
Ektike could be Liverpool’s best striker since Firmino
Darwin Nunez’s time at Anfield hasn’t really worked out, and that has left the Reds arguably lacking a top-class striker at times over the last couple of seasons.
The L3 outfit have been without a genuine top-quality frontman since Roberto Firmino’s departure in 2023, and that has resulted in the likes of Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo being forced to lead the line at times.
However, with Ekitike’s arrival, they seem to have addressed the only way in which they could viably improve upon their title-winning team, and that will be a scary thought for their rivals.
The former PSG man possesses completely different strengths to those which Firmino brought to the table, but he could easily establish himself as a similarly important player.
Slot’s side were already a force to be reckoned with, but they may have just hit another level altogether.
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