Hugo Ekitike gives honest reaction to Alexander Isak’s Liverpool transfer move | Football
Hugo Ekitike says it’s a ‘pleasure’ to be joined by Alexander Isak at Liverpool and he is looking forward to giving Arne Slot a selection headache by proving his class this season.
The 23-year-old France forward completed a move from Eintracht Frankfurt to Anfield back in July, with the Reds having reached an agreement worth up to £79million.
He was one of seven new recruits through the doors at Liverpool as the Premier League champions twice broke the British record while spending an a mind-boggling £446m in transfer fees across an unprecedented summer window.
After putting to paper on six-year contract on Merseyside, Ekitike, who scored 22 goals for Frankfurt last term, appeared a shoo-in for the central striker role in Slot’s attack.
And while Ekitike has started Liverpool’s three opening games in the English top flight, Isak’s deadline-day move means Slot has a difficult decision to make when the club return to action away to Burnley next weekend.
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But facing the French media on Sunday afternoon, Ekitike insisted he was relishing the chance to go toe to toe with Isak and Liverpool’s other attackers for minutes.
‘It’s fun. When you play for the best teams, you expect to be competing with the best players,’ Ekitike replied when asked about Isak’s big-money transfer.
‘Isak is a player I’ve watched too, so seeing him arrive is a pleasure.
‘It’s going to be tough competition, but I’m going to focus on performing well so that it’s a problem for the manager.’
Ekitike is enjoying the added pressure and scrutiny that comes with playing for a club of Liverpool’s stature.
‘Obviously my life has changed,’ he added.
‘It’s a big move and I’m watched a thousand times more, but I’m taking it positively, it’s really good. It’s the position I wanted to be in.
‘When you have this kind of standard, you have to show that you belong here and you have to continue to perform.
‘But it’s a position that I like and that I want to keep.’
Ekitike made his senior France debut on Friday night as Didier Deschamps’ men opened their World Cup qualifying campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Ukraine.
The Liverpool attacker came on as a late substitute for Ousmane Dembele, who was forced with a serious muscle injury in Wroclaw.
With Dembele expected to be sidelined for around six weeks, Ekitike will no doubt be desperate to put his hand up for selection with some strong performances at both club and international level.
But Ekitike is under no illusions about the challenge he faces in securing a starting spot for Les Bleus up front.
‘It’s a real pleasure to be a part of this group of French attackers, knowing their quality,’ he continued.
‘I’m taking it as a learning experience because they are players who have more experience than me in the national team.
‘We don’t have much time to connect, but it’s a real pleasure to be with them. We have to rise to their level.’
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Hugo Ekitike gives honest reaction to Alexander Isak’s Liverpool transfer move | Football
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