Wayne Rooney makes Hugo Ekitike admission after MOTD footage v Bournemouth
Hugo Ekitike is quickly becoming a fan favourite at Anfield.
Ekitike, 23, scored his first Premier League goal as Liverpool defeated Bournemouth 4-2 late on at Anfield, after surrendering a 2-0 lead.
The Frenchman has hit the ground running in England after an impressive performance at Wembley against Crystal Palace, and he made it three goal involvements in two games in a man-of-the-match performance over the Cherries.
With Liverpool looking to bring in Alexander Isak this summer, Ekitike is looking to secure his starting spot, and Wayne Rooney was impressed with one aspect of the striker’s game.
Rooney impressed with Ekitike’s movement and awareness
Reds fans have been amazed with the Frenchman’s IQ in his first two competitive appearances, and it’s being noticed in the media.
Ekitike played as a complete striker against Bournemouth, with the former Eintracht Frankfurt man often dropping deep and getting involved in link-up play.
Former Manchester United striker Rooney appeared on BBC’s Match of the Day, and was impressed with the striker’s intelligent runs and awareness of his teammates.
Rooney said: “Yeah I thought he had a really good game, obviously involved in the first two goals.
“What I really liked about his game is that he came short at times, he ran in behind, here he come short then he carries on and lays the ball off.
On Ekitike’s goal, he said: “What I like about this one is that it’s a double movement. He lays it off, he goes to go again, and then he stays short.
“Now he’s keeping the Bournemouth defenders guessing, now he sees the space and makes that run in behind, gets a bit of luck which he deserved, and then a great finish at the end of it.”
Ekitike will be giving Arne Slot selection headache if Isak arrives
With the Isak deal still very much a possibility this summer, Liverpool could form the most lethal frontline in Europe this season.
Arne Slot will have a problem with how to set the attack up, especially if Ekitike’s fast start continues.
It has been suggested that Cody Gakpo could be sacrificed to allow both forwards to play together, with the Frenchman likely moving to the left, while Slot has also suggested the forward could be utilised in a strike partnership.
These are all hypotheticals for the moment until a deal is agreed for the Sweden international, but a strike partnership of Isak and Ekitike would easily be the best duo in the world.
Sign up for the Liverpool News WhatsApp channel and turn on notifications to have all the latest, breaking Liverpool news sent straight to your phone.