Liverpool fans have reached a verdict on Hugo Ekitike following their friendly matches against Athletic Bilbao, amid the club’s ongoing pursuit of Alexander Isak.
Liverpool played two friendlies against Bilbao on Monday as part of their preparations ahead of the Community Shield clash with Crystal Palace on Sunday.
A youthful Liverpool side, featuring players like Rio Ngumoha, Ben Doak, and Trey Nyoni, secured a 4-1 win over the La Liga team in the first game, before manager Arne Slot fielded his first-team stars for the second match.
Summer signings Jeremie Frimping and Florian Wirtz started alongside Ekitike, who was signed from Eintracht Frankfurt in a deal worth up to £79 million.
The French forward impressed with his attacking play and played a key role in the opening goal, set up by Mohamed Salah. Dominik Szoboszlai delivered a through ball to Ekitike, who sprinted onto it and cleverly created space to assist Salah, who finished confidently.
Ekitike featured for 57 minutes in Liverpool’s 3-2 victory and was particularly dangerous drifting in from the left wing during the first half.
After his strong showing, many Liverpool supporters believe the 23-year-old can effectively play on the left wing, which could complement Isak’s role as a central striker if the club completes his signing from Newcastle United this summer.
One fan tweeted, “Ekitike can 100 percent play on the left if Isak joins btw.”
Another said, “Ekitike looks really good drifting to the left for me.”
Others chimed in with suggestions like “Ekitike – Isak – Salah” for a potent attacking trio.
Some fans noted that Ekitike is still not the clinical finisher Liverpool needs, explaining the interest in investing heavily in Isak, while others argued that Ekitike already looks impressive and questioned whether the full budget should be spent on Isak.
If Slot’s plans come to fruition, Liverpool could line up a front three of Ekitike on the left, Salah on the right, and Isak leading the attack centrally — a formidable lineup to help defend their Premier League title in 2025/26.
Regarding Liverpool’s pursuit of Isak, Ekitike hasn’t publicly commented on the rumors but hinted at his own flexibility in attack. When asked about his playing style during his official unveiling, he said he can operate both as a lone striker or alongside another forward, adding, “I can do both – I can play alone and I like to play also with another striker.”
This versatility has sparked excitement among fans about Liverpool’s potential attacking options going forward.
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