Liverpool supervisor Arne Slot has praised Hugo Ekitike’s spectacular kind following his summer season transfer to Anfield, hailing the French striker’s rising affect within the Reds’ assault.
Ekitike has scored eight objectives and offered one help in 16 Premier League appearances this season.
The 23-year-old made a direct affect after arriving from Eintracht Frankfurt, scoring in every of his first three outings.
Nevertheless, that early burst was considerably overshadowed by the British-record £125 million (£169m) signing of Alexander Isak.
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The Frenchman then endured a lean spell, managing simply three objectives in his subsequent 17 matches as he struggled to adapt to the bodily and tactical calls for of English soccer.
However with Isak sidelined for a number of months via damage and Mohamed Salah away on Africa Cup of Nations obligation, Liverpool at the moment are counting on Ekitike to spearhead their assault.
Slot believes the striker’s current enchancment is basically right down to enhanced bodily conditioning, admitting he needed to persuade Ekitike of the significance of that work.
“He confirmed plenty of onerous work to get to this health stage the place he’s in the intervening time,” Slot stated forward of Saturday’s residence conflict in opposition to bottom-placed Wolves.
Liverpool are at the moment on a six-game unbeaten run in all competitions after a disastrous sequence of 9 defeats in 12 matches had severely dented their title hopes. They now sit fifth within the Premier League desk, 10 factors behind leaders Arsenal.
Slot insisted the distinction between Liverpool’s poor run and up to date upturn just isn’t as stark because it seems.
With key attackers unavailable, Liverpool’s hopes of sustaining momentum might hinge on Ekitike persevering with his upward trajectory.
