Hugo Ekitike has settled in perfectly at Liverpool and already feels to be a vital personality within the Reds’ squad.
Clearly, goals will always help a striker feel comfortable at a new club, and luckily for Liverpool the Frenchman has delivered plenty of those already.
But Ekitike has also won Reds fans over with his charisma in his early months with the club. He appears to be getting along brilliantly with his teammates and it is showing on the pitch.
Are you confident Liverpool will beat Manchester City this weekend?
Alisson before Marseille vs Liverpool - UEFA Champions League
Credit: Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu/Getty Images
Above all, Ekitike and Florian Wirtz have struck up an understanding which looks like it could blossom into a real source of promise this season and beyond.
But according to Ekitike, Wirtz was not one of the players who initially made him feel welcome at Liverpool. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the striker has named Kostas Tsimikas, who subsequently left for Roma, as a key person in greeting him initially.
Hugo Ekitike praises ‘really cool’ Kostas Tsimikas
Tsimikas was incredibly popular with his teammates before leaving on loan this summer. Always up for a laugh and a joke, the Greek was universally loved within the Liverpool squad.
And according to Ekitike, although countryman Ibrahima Konate was the most important character during his early weeks at Anfield, Tsimikas was not far behind.
Kostas Tsimikas runs with the ball during Liverpool's pre-season friendly against Athletic Bilbao at Anfield
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
READ MORE: He joined Liverpool after Man City, now he’s just taken over Hugo Ekitike’s ex-team
“Ibou first, I have to say Ibou obviously!” Ekitike said when asked who was the most welcoming teammate by Sky Sports.
“He spoke in French to me explained everything about the club, the people.
“Everybody welcomed me well, Jeremie [Frimpong], Kostas Tsimikas, obviously he’s not here anymore but he was really cool with me, we talked a lot. But kind of everybody.”
How many goals will Hugo Ekitike end up with this season?
He's surely heading past 20
Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring for Liverpool in the Premier League against Newcastle United at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC
Ekitike has two best friends at Liverpool
Tsimikas would likely have known that he would be leaving Liverpool for Ekitike’s debut season in red, so for him to go out of his way to welcome the striker anyway says a lot about him.
Since the left-back’s departure, Ekitike has found his way nicely with those left behind, and according to the Liverpool ECHO, he has two best friends at the club.
Interestingly, Wirtz is said to be one of these, with the two claimed to be enjoying a ‘close bond’ which is extending to their performances on the pitch.
Frimpong is the other, with Konate also mentioned as someone who has continued to be important in the settling-in period.
With Tsimikas’ exit being only a loan and with Andy Robertson expected to leave in 2026, perhaps the Greek Scouser and Liverpool supporters’ new favourite striker will get a chance to rekindle their friendship this summer.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox