Hugo Ekitike could end up becoming Liverpool’s very own version of Cole Palmer.
The Frenchman has become an unsung hero for the Anfield outfit this season, with Arne Slot’s men looking much better when he’s on the pitch.
Ekitike has contributed to seven goals across all competitions thus far, which doesn’t seem like all that much, but with the form that Liverpool’s attackers have been in this term, it’s fairly impressive.
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Over the last couple of weeks, it’s felt like the former Eintracht Frankfurt man has taken a bit of a back seat now that Alexander Isak is fully fit.
Hugo Ekitike smiles after Eintracht Frankfurt win
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
However, much like when Palmer and Christian Nkunku joined Chelsea in 2023, it feels like the one who wasn’t expected to become a star could actually end up being key to the future plans of the squad.
How Hugo Ekitike is becoming Liverpool’s own Cole Palmer
Everyone knows that, since Todd Boehly has taken over at Chelsea, they’ve been splashing money left, right, and centre.
Every transfer window, it has felt like hundreds of millions have been spent on new players by the Blues, with Enzo Maresca able to start a completely different team in each game.
Despite spending all this money, some transfers, such as Nkunku’s, don’t end up working out.
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Back in 2023, the former RB Leipzig man was expected to become the next big thing for Chelsea, but in actual fact, it was Palmer who became their best player.
Palmer was initially seen as Nkunku’s back-up, but to everyone’s surprise, he became the main man at Stamford Bridge, which is exactly what it feels like is going to happen at Liverpool.
Isak was the big-name signing, and although he’s only just got fully fit, even in the games they’ve played alongside one another, Ekitike has outshone the Sweden international.
Most people knew that there would be a battle between the duo to become Liverpool’s number nine, but hardly anyone expected Ekitike to come out on top.
Hugo Ekitike has been given a golden opportunity to show Arne Slot that he cannot be dropped
On Wednesday evening, Liverpool finally broke their losing streak with a 5-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League.
Ekitike and Isak started alongside one another, with the duo actually playing well together.
However, the Sweden international was hooked in the 45th minute, with many people thinking that this was because of his performance; however, Isak actually ended up with an injury to his groin.
Alexander Isak in action during Liverpool's UEFA Champions League match against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images
And, although the severity of the injury isn’t yet known, it could give Ekitike an ideal chance to prove his worth and show why Slot can’t keep dropping him to the bench.
Even if the injury just rules the former Newcastle ace out for a game or two, it feels like it’s now or never for Ekitike to make his case to be Liverpool’s first-choice striker.