Wayne Rooney has backed these Liverpool and Sunderland stars as the best signings of the Premier League season
The French striker has left an immediate impression on the fans during his maiden season at the club. After scoring the first goal of the Premier League campaign, Ekitike has continued to show his ability and produce important goals for Liverpool when they need them.
His performance against Newcastle United in particular has earned him praise in abundance. The 22-year-old scored a brace in the Reds’ 4-1 win over the Magpies to mark his 15th goal of the season in all competitions.
Hugo Ekitike transfer one of the signings of the season, says Wayne Rooney
Rooney, speaking on the latest episode of The Wayne Rooney Show, took time to praise Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres. But when asked who he preferred out of the Swede and Ekitike, he chose Liverpool’s latest goal-scoring powerhouse.
“Ekitike and [Granit] Xhaka at Sunderland have probably been the two best signings in the Premier League,” the former Everton and Manchester United star said.
“I really enjoy watching Ekitike play. His second goal [against Newcastle] in particular was brilliant, it reminds me of Romario. A little toe-poke goal but it’s instinctive.
“He is the type of player I like to watch. He’s not a number nine, he’s not a number 10. He drifts out wide, he gets on the ball, brings players into the game and he can score goals. So he’s got a bit of everything really.”
Hugo Ekitike compared to Fernando Torres
“It's Torres-like. He just gets it out of his feet and it's that toe poke. He reminds me of Torres, this player, every time I watch him,” the former skipper said.
“He's scoring similar types of goals, where if you give him space in the channel, he'll run it, he's too quick, you can't catch him and he's deadly.”
Liverpool even uploaded a video to social media of Ekitike’s goal against Newcastle side-by-side with Torres’ first goal for the Reds against Chelsea. The clips are almost identical, and the club has written: “We thought that one looked familiar.”
Continue Reading