Fernando Torres celebrates for Liverpoolplaceholder image
Fernando Torres celebrates for Liverpool | AFP via Getty Images
Liverpool could have Fernando Torres 2.0 on their books right now
There has been a lot for Liverpool fans to grumble about so far this season, with results not going to plan and some new signings struggling to make the desired impact.
However, one man who has wasted no time proving he was the right man to buy, is Hugo Ekitike.
The Frenchman was brought to Anfield as what seemed to be an Alexander Isak alternative at the time. Newcastle United were playing serious hardball over their Swedish star, and it looked impossible for Liverpool to get a deal done.
In the end, the Reds signed both strikers, spending more than £200 million combined on the duo. However, it’s undoubtedly been Ekitike who has had the biggest impact on Liverpool in his debut season.
Hugo Ekitike looking like Fernando Torres 2.0 for Liverpool
In these opening weeks of his Liverpool career, Ekitike is showing potential to become a clinical striker like Fernando Torres. Even the long-sleeve Adidas shirt is right on the money.
The Spaniard, who was a joy to watch on the ball and made scoring goals look easy, set a benchmark at Anfield with his natural flair, pace and ability to find the back of the net.
Steven Gerrard described Torres as the player who he had the strongest connection with during his playing career.
Since Torres’ departure in 2011, there has only been a handful of true effective centre-forwards at Anfield. Luis Suarez was a huge hit, Roberto Firmino became something truly special, and Diogo Jota’s impact is a devastating and monumental miss for this current team.
The Reds were eager to bring in a typical No.9 over the summer, and they’ve ended up with two. But Ekitike has dazzled those around him already, grabbing six goals in all competitions, including Liverpool’s first of the Premier League season.
Hugo Ekitike already being compared to Fernando Torres
The comparison between Ekitike and Torres has already been drawn by many. While fans recently made the claims, former England goalkeeper Ben Foster also sees the similarities.
“Is it just me that thinks Hugo Ekitike looks like prime Liverpool Fernando Torres running round Anfield?” he wrote on social media as Ekitike enjoyed bagging a goal and an assist against Bournemouth back in August.
In hindsight, Ekitike is a solid enough signing to be Liverpool’s marquee striker. The Reds could have brought in a cheaper option as back-up, but they were so eager to land Isak, almost half of their budget went on two No.9s, with no clear-cut plan on how to play them both equally.
Isak’s price tag is creating a lot of pressure on both the player and the club. Millions of eyes have been on the Swede to perform, but so far he has just one goal in all competitions.
In the games he’s played ahead of Ekitike, Liverpool have missed the Frenchman. Benching him in attempt to prove splashing a record amount of money on Isak is criminal at this stage. Both players could become devastating for Liverpool, but Slot must find a way to start them both.
Even before he joined Liverpool, Ekitike was backed as a superb signing. The 23-year-old bagged 22 goals and 12 assists for Eintracht Frankfurt last season, and he’s already shown he is not like other Bundesliga players who struggle to adapt to the Premier League.
“Technically, he’s very good. His link-up play is really good, he’s a good finisher, he’s got everything. He looks like the perfect centre-forward,” Owen Hargreaves said of Ekitike as the Anfield deal went through.
“He’s a goalscorer, he can get into these positions, he can finish with both feet; to be honest with you, he’s got the lot. You look at the career Isak’s had, he’s in that same category.”
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