Liverpool duo Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz have had contrasting starts to their Anfield careers, with Ekitike suffering an injury after playing too many minutes while Wirtz remains unfazed
08:17, 05 Jan 2026
Two football players in red uniforms are celebrating a goal in front of an enthusiastic crowd, with several fans in the background wearing red scarves.
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Florian Wirtz found the net over the weekend(Image: AP)
It's been a tale of contrasting fortunes for Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz during their maiden campaigns at Liverpool. The 23-year-old French striker joined in a £79million deal and has already staked a strong claim to being the Premier League's standout summer acquisition.
For the German midfielder, who set the reigning league champions back a fee potentially reaching £116million, it's been a more challenging introduction to life on Merseyside, with his maiden goal for the club only arriving last month.
Given their contrasting experiences, the Frenchman has opened up about the difficulties he's encountered since his arrival, whilst Wirtz's relaxed approach has been highlighted by one of his teammates. Daily Star Sportexamines the key developments surrounding the Reds.
Hugo Ekitike's challenges
Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield on October 19, 2025 in Liverpool, England
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Hugo Ekitike was out injured on Sunday(Image: 2025 Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA)
Liverpool's standout performer this season, Ekitike has impressively spearheaded the attack during his inaugural campaign with the Reds and has shouldered that responsibility alone in recent weeks, following Alexander Isak's broken leg sustained last month, reports the Mirror.
Boasting 11 goals, Ekitike had featured in the starting lineup for the previous six matches across all competitions prior to the Fulham encounter, and acknowledged that his extended run leading the line due to the Swede's injury presents difficulties for everyone concerned.
He revealed to Liverpool's official website: "Obviously that kind of thing happened, and I was very sorry for him because it's not funny when you come to a new club and get injured with that kind of injury - it's difficult.
"But for me, I try to do my job. The coach puts me on the pitch, and I'll show him and show the fans that I can help the team. It doesn't matter if I score, if I give assists, the most important [thing] for me is to win."
Nevertheless, the burden has proved overwhelming for the Frenchman, who was absent from the Reds' away fixture against Fulham on Sunday due to a "minor hamstring injury", according to Arne Slot.
The Reds manager acknowledged that Ekitike has been overused in Isak's absence, explaining before the match at Craven Cottage: "Alexander Isak has been out for a few weeks now, that has meant that Hugo had to play more minutes than he did throughout the whole season."
Florian Wirtz promise
Jeremie Frimpong pointing at Ibrahima Konate while Florian Wirtz sits in-between and laughs
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Florian Wirtz had a slow start to life at Anfield(Image: YouTube/Liverpool FC)
It hasn't been a perfect beginning for Wirtz, who has failed to deliver the kind of performances supporters anticipated given his £116m transfer fee. Whilst his ability is undeniable, it has emerged in flashes rather than sustained periods of excellence.
Despite a slow start at Liverpool, Florian Wirtz's teammate Jeremie Frimpong isn't losing any sleep. The Dutch international, who joined the Reds alongside Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen last summer, is confident that the German will shine at Anfield.
"He is top," Frimpong praised Wirtz. "I know how good of a player Flo is. Like I've said in plenty of interviews, if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have won the treble with Leverkusen. So we know how good he is and to see him doing it now... this is just the start. There's plenty to come.
"Flo is the type of player that doesn't care about these things, the price tag. He's just happy to play football. For me personally, I think Flo takes pressure really well. He's just a guy that just loves the ball on his feet.
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"When he plays he's just enjoying it. So for me, I don't think he cares about all this. Of course, on the outside, what was it, £116m? I don't think he cares about all that. He knows how good he is. He just wants to play."