Liverpool appear desperate to get a striker through the door this summer.
The Reds may have been the highest scorers in the league last season after netting 86 goals in 38 games, but they are still not satisfied.
The tally could, and probably should, have been much higher, but due to lacking a striker, or at least a number nine Arne Slot trusts, they were playing Luis Diaz up front for most of the campaign.
Although the Colombian did very well, an out-and-out striker is still required, with the Reds linked with many options.
Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike is a name that keeps cropping up and is a player Liverpool seem very keen on, especially as Alexander Isak, who is their top target, may seem unattainable this summer.
The German outfit are holding out for €100m (£85m) for their star player, a fee that seems astronomically high considering last season was only the second time he reached double digits for goals.
However, still only 22, everyone in Germany raves about the Frenchman and Liverpool have already been told just how good he could become.
Hugo Ekitike of Eintracht Frankfurt celebrates the victory after the Bundesliga match between Sport-Club Freiburg and Eintracht Frankfurt at Europa-Park Stadion
Photo by Sebastian El-Saqqa – firo sportphoto/Getty Images
Liverpool told that Hugo Ekitike has everything
Back in the day, strikers were required to score goals and that was about it. Fast forward to now, however, and they are asked to do a lot more.
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Creating goals is now just as important as teams want multiple channels of success, and according to The Athletic’s German football correspondent, Seb Stafford-Bloor, Ekitike will be able to do just that.
“I still think this is a player evolving, a player developing, and he has a few holes in his game,” Stafford-Bloor said on The Athletic FC Podcast.
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“He is a player who is a composite of different parts of the role. He’s a creator, a goalscorer, I wouldn’t say he’s perfect at either, but I don’t think you have to imagine too much of him when you watch him to see what kind of player he could become.
“[He has] wonderful technique, great speed, and is incredibly talented and young.”
£85m seems risky considering he is ‘one for the future’ although at 22, this could be where he starts to become more complete and clinical.
Liverpool face stiff competition for Hugo Ekitike
After signing defensive and midfield reinforcements, many see a striker as the final piece in Liverpool’s jigsaw.
Ekitike has been branded as a ‘special forward’ in the past and he would almost certainly be an upgrade on the options they have now.
2024/25 Stats Hugo Ekitike
Appearances 48
Goals 22
Assists 12
Stats from Transfermarkt and correct as of 19/06/25
However, if they are to bring the Frenchman to the club, they may have to act quickly as they face competition from Chelsea and Manchester United for his signature.
Both clubs have been in contact with the 22-year-old and see him as one of their top options, although nothing is advanced as of yet.
Liverpool fans may prefer the club go all-out for a player like Isak, but potentially stealing one of their rival’s top targets might just sway their opinion.