Liverpool 2-0 Brighton: match review
The Liverpool boss discussed the recent form of Hugo Ekitike after his summer arrival from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot says that he is getting ‘more and more excited’ about Hugo Ekitike - and not because of his offensive displays.
The striker has enjoyed a fine start to his Reds career after signing from Eintracht Frankfurt for up to £79 million in the summer transfer window. Ekitike has scored 10 goals in all competitions, with his double inspiring last weekend’s 2-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion.
Ekitike has been Liverpool’s most impressive of the summer signings so far and has adapted to the challenges of the Premier League. His opening may have surprised some supporters, but not Slot.
The Anfield boss believes that Ekitike’s biggest challenge since his arrival has been improving the defensive side of his game. But the France international’s work-rate has improved markedly in recent months and that is what Slot is taking most pleasure from.
Speaking ahead of the clash against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, Slot said: “No, he didn’t (surprise me) because we knew what type of player we signed. He had to go off in the Brighton game after 70 minutes because he had cramp, but he did almost double the amount of work he did three months ago when I also had to take him off. His ability to score, his technique, his speed, it's just what he has, so no one is surprised to see that.
“He's improved a lot in terms of how much he runs and how hard he works. That is a big help for the team because people focus on goals but he helps us out now defensively as well. That is very important for a No.9. I’ve probably spoken more with him about what I expect more defensively than offensively.
“Before we signed him, he had no problems with that. After I signed him, he sometimes felt: ‘Can we also talk about offence?’ But there is not so much to talk about offence because that part of his game is very good and defensively I get more and more excited to see what he did at this part.”
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