Hugo Ekitike has experienced a whirlwind few months after completing £79m transfer to Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt
Liverpool and France forward Hugo Ekitike
Liverpool and France forward Hugo Ekitike(Image: FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
It hardly seems the most appropriate reward. Hugo Ekitike's clinical strike at Newcastle United last month made him the first player since Daniel Sturridge in January 2013 to score in each of his first three games as a Liverpool player.
Having already netted the openers in the Community Shield against Crystal Palace and at home to Bournemouth in the Premier League, it was a continuation of an impressive start to the season for the 23-year-old following his arrival from Eintracht Frankfurt in a deal that could eventually cost the Reds £79million.
So barely 24 hours after playing his part in the hard-earned win over Arsenal that ensured the champions went into the first international break as leaders of the embryonic table, Ekitike could have been a little irked to see the Reds splash out £125m on signing Alexander Isak from Newcastle United to end the summer's most contentious transfer saga.
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With £100m-plus players rarely bought to populate the bench, it would seem Ekitike could soon be bumped out of the central striker role he has commanded with impressive authority this season.
The Frenchman, though, has been here before. When signed from Reims by Paris Saint-Germain, a then 20-year-old faced the onerous task of ejecting one of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar or Lionel Messi from the forward line.
It didn't quite work out, with Ekitike then serving a reminder of his quality during an 18-month stay at Frankfurt.
Small wonder the forward has no qualms with the arrival of Isak, stating merely that he will "focus on performing well so that it’s a problem for the manager".
But in the short-term, Ekitike may well be solving one issue for Slot. With Isak having not played a Premier League game since May, it is likely to take some time before the Sweden international recovers full match sharpness and fitness.
And with Ekitike having already answered the question of whether he is capable of delivering for Liverpool, head coach Arne Slot will have no issue with continuing to entrust the player with leading the line while also giving him further opportunities to strengthen his own claims for regular inclusion.
Of course, that Liverpool view Ekitike as a versatile forward will stand him in good stead, particularly with a large onus falling at present on Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah on the left and right flanks respectively.
There will be be plenty of openings for minutes, along with the tantalising prospect of Isak and Ekitike being partnered in a central area, offering Slot more tactical variation.
Not that Ekitike is daunted by the task ahead. “Obviously my life has changed," he says. "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.”
There was another step for Ekitike this week when, having been called into the France national team for the first time due to late withdrawals, he made a senior debut for his country as a substitute late on in the 2-0 win over Ukraine on Friday.
“It’s a real pleasure to be a part of this group of French attackers, knowing their quality," he says. "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.”
Liverpool was always Ekitike's preferred destination this summer, the Reds finally making their move after Newcastle United looked to sign the forward.
And agent Ali Barat has revealed how far down the line the Magpies had travelled before Liverpool swooped.
"I was working on behalf of Eintracht Frankfurt to bring him to Newcastle, I stayed in Germany for 10 days," said Barat to Tuttosport. "We agreed everything with the German club and the player. Then Liverpool called him and he chose Anfield."
Ekitike already has no regrets. And challenging Isak for a starting role is simply more reason to be enthusiastic rather than be intimidated.