Liverpool manager Arne Slot has praised Hugo Ekitike’s impressive form following his summer move to Anfield, hailing the French striker’s growing influence in the Reds’ attack.
Ekitike has scored eight goals and provided one assist in 16 Premier League appearances this season.
The 23-year-old made an immediate impact after arriving from Eintracht Frankfurt, scoring in each of his first three outings.
However, that early burst was somewhat overshadowed by the British-record £125 million (£169m) signing of Alexander Isak.
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The Frenchman then endured a lean spell, managing just three goals in his next 17 matches as he struggled to adapt to the physical and tactical demands of English football.
But with Isak sidelined for several months through injury and Mohamed Salah away on Africa Cup of Nations duty, Liverpool are now relying on Ekitike to spearhead their attack.
Slot believes the striker’s recent improvement is largely down to enhanced physical conditioning, admitting he had to persuade Ekitike of the importance of that work.
“He showed a lot of hard work to get to this fitness level where he is at the moment,” Slot said ahead of Saturday’s home clash against bottom-placed Wolves.
Liverpool are currently on a six-game unbeaten run in all competitions after a disastrous sequence of nine defeats in 12 matches had severely dented their title hopes. They now sit fifth in the Premier League table, 10 points behind leaders Arsenal.
Slot insisted the contrast between Liverpool’s poor run and recent upturn is not as stark as it appears.
With key attackers unavailable, Liverpool’s hopes of maintaining momentum may hinge on Ekitike continuing his upward trajectory.
