Liverpool have got off to a perfect start in the Premier League this season.
Indeed, while it hasn’t been pretty at times, the Reds have won each of their first four league games and currently sit top of the Premier League.
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However, that isn’t to say that Liverpool have been at their very best this season.
Indeed, the Reds have relied on late goals in each of their first four games this season, while some of their players have been criticised.
Milos Kerkez has been criticised this season, while Mohamed Salah hasn’t been at his best either.
However, one player who has earned plenty of praise is Hugo Ekitike.
Ekitike has been brilliant so far this season, and speaking on The Rest is Football, Micah Richards has been discussing the French striker.
Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring for Liverpool against Bournemouth
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Micah Richards shocked by how strong Hugo Ekitike is
Richards spoke about Ekitike after his move to Liverpool.
The pundit says the striker has shocked him in a number of ways this season, claiming that he’s better in the air than he thought, while he’s also stronger than he imagined him being too.
“But what he has is something different. He’s better in the air than I thought he was. Obviously, being that size, you’d think that they should be good in the air, but he throws himself about,” Richards said.
“He’s stronger than I thought. I don’t know if he was quick and what he’s running behind, and he could link up and all that sort of stuff, but he’s more aggressive than I thought. And I think, yeah, he’s been outstanding, to be honest.”
Alan Shearer shares Hugo Ekitike verdict
Richards spoke glowingly about Ekitike on this podcast, but Alan Shearer shared a different verdict.
Indeed, the Newcastle legend pondered how Ekitike’s role in this team will change once Alexander Isak is up to speed and ready to start.
“It’s going to be fascinating to see how they get them all in. And I know they’ve got a lot of games and they’ll play a ridiculous number of amount of games this season because they’ll go for in competitions. But you always have a go-to, don’t you?” Shearer said.
“You have your best and it’ll be really interesting to see how we fit them all in there.”
After starting so well, Ekitike would have every right to feel aggrieved if he lost his starting spot, but, at the same time, you don’t pay £125m for a striker just to stick them on the bench.
As Shearer says, it will be interesting to see how Isak and Ekitike co-exist in the same side.