Liverpool face fresh Hugo Ekitike concern as Djibril Cisse problem highlighted
Liverpool have finalised the signing of French striker Hugo Ekitike – but a deal for him does not come without any risks.
Ekitike has completed an initial £69million move to Liverpool, making him one of the club’s most expensive signings ever, and some have questioned whether the striker is worth it.
Liverpool have spent heavily this window, and Ekitike joins a star-studded front line alongside Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz.
The now-former Frankfurt striker will join after a transfer saga which saw Liverpool also pursue Alexander Isak, but even aside from his tactical fit, his cultural fit at Anfield has now been questioned.
Djbril Cisse questions Ekitike move to Liverpool
Former Liverpool attacker Djibril Cisse ranks low when it comes to strikers who have graced Anfield in the Premier League, but he had some words of advice for Ekitike ahead of his move.
Ekitike will become the first French attacker to play for Liverpool since David N’Gog, and hardly any Frenchmen have succeeded with the Reds.
Speaking to L’Equipe (July 23), Cisse questioned whether Liverpool was the right destination for Ekitike, given the lack of successful French players compared to Chelsea and Arsenal.
| Player | Appearances |
| Jean Michel-Ferri | 2 |
| Nicolas Anelka | 22 |
| Pegguy Arphexad | 6 |
| Alou Diarra | 0 |
| Bernard Diomede | 5 |
| Gregory Vignal | 20 |
| Patrice Luzi | 1 |
| Bruno Cheyrou | 48 |
| Anthony Le Tallec | 32 |
| Florent Sinama-Pongolle | 65 |
| Djbril Cisse | 79 |
| Damien Plessis | 8 |
| David N’Gog | 94 |
| Mamadou Sakho | 80 |
| Aly Cissokho | 19 |
| Billy Koumetio | 2 |
| Ibrahima Konate | 132 |
“In Germany, he might have had more time to express himself. In England, the intensity will shock him,” he claimed.
“At Arsenal or Chelsea, the French really left a mark. At Liverpool, maybe some came too young or weren’t ready. But one day, one of us will break through and set the tone.”
Ekitike aiming to achieve rare Liverpool feat
Liverpool’s most successful Frenchman in Premier League history is currently at the club, in defender Ibrahima Konate, but the others found it a lot more difficult.
Mamadou Sakho had a mixed spell before leaving for Crystal Palace, while Nicolas Anelka had a promising loan spell for six months.
The likes of Aly Cissokho, N’Gog and Florent Sinama-Pongolle all failed to make it at the club during a difficult period, and Ekitike will hope to avoid a similar fate.
Ekitike is the first high-profile French attacker Liverpool have signed, compared to the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea succeeding with Thierry Henry, Florent Malouda, Olivier Giroud and others, and he will hope that he can explode under Arne Slot to lead the Reds to more silverware.
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