**Hugo Ekitike has been sensational since he joined Liverpool, but the club now believes he has reached a new level entirely in recent weeks.**
When FSG sanctioned a £79m transfer fee to sign Ekitike in the summer, it was met with scrutiny from rival fans and pundits.
At the time, Liverpool were also trying to sign Alexander Isak. It seemed as though Newcastle United would hold onto the Swede and so Liverpool snatched Ekitike away from the Magpies.
In hindsight, it’s arguably the difference between Liverpool challenging for Champions League football – as they are – and a more embarrassing league position.
With ten goals, Ekitike is Liverpool’s Premier League top scorer and will be crucial this weekend when they face Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday.
Liverpool excited about the extremely high potential Hugo Ekitike has showcased
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Writing in his [weekly _Inside Football_ newsletter](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/miguel-delaney-inside-football-newsletter-email-b2801522.html?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1754561693-3), Miguel Delaney says Liverpool are blown away by Ekitike. They have confidence that the French forward can become the best striker in the world after his recent form.
Ekitike has three goals and an assist in his last two games and has been Liverpool’s attacking talisman all season. Overall, the 23-year-old has 15 goals and four assists in 32 games in all competitions.
_“Opposition sides are now fully aware of how assistant Pep Lijnders’ shift to a more intense pressing style has left City vulnerable late in games,”_ Delaney wrote in his newsletter.
_“Liverpool have consequently been working out how Hugo Ekitike can exploit that space in the final stages. The club believes the sleek forward has reached another level in recent weeks – precisely why they were so keen to sign him._
_“There is a sense he could become one of the best strikers in the world. That progress is also tied to Liverpool’s own confidence, which is far higher than when City beat them 3-0 in November – and even higher than just two weeks ago.”_