Hugo Ekitike Comparisons ‘Really Unfair’ Ahead of Liverpool Move – Journalist | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Bold Move for Hugo Ekitike: A Statement of Ambition

Liverpool’s summer has been anything but quiet. With Arne Slot fresh off a sensational Premier League title win in his debut season, the club has wasted no time reinforcing its ranks. Signings like Giorgi Mamardashvili, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Florian Wirtz have already made waves, but it is the £69 million deal for Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt that is grabbing headlines this week.

David Lynch, speaking to Eddie Gibbs for Anfield Index, revealed, “It’s absolutely done on all sides now and there’s a full agreement between the clubs on an initial fee of £69million and £10million in potential add-ons.” For Liverpool fans, this signals more than just another big signing, it signals intent.

Trusting the Process

Slot and his backroom team have shown a clear plan this summer. Ekitike’s arrival might raise a few eyebrows, especially as Darwin Nunez edges towards the exit. But as Lynch rightly pointed out, “They absolutely don’t mind if they have to pay these add-ons because it will mean Ekitike has banged in the goals or Liverpool have won the major trophies.”

That is the crux. Liverpool are no longer in a phase of hopeful rebuilding. They are champions, looking to stay on top. Slot knows that integrating someone like Ekitike, with pace, flair and potential, fits the system they are refining for the coming season.

Clearing Up the Numbers

One of the main concerns circulating online has been Ekitike’s expected goals (xG) numbers. Lynch addressed this head-on, noting, “His underperformance in expected goals, sitting at -5.3 on non-penalty goals versus expected goals, is a huge underperformance there’s no doubt about it, but it’s not fair to take that for his entire career.”

This is a crucial point. Fans are quick to jump on statistics without context. Lynch explained, “The comparisons to Darwin Nunez is really unfair because if you look at the season before he was +1.6 so he over-performed his expected goals.” Over his career, Ekitike sits at around -0.3, making him, as Lynch put it, “roughly an even-level finisher, which is absolutely fine.”

The reality is that Liverpool are not buying a finished product, they are investing in a player with the tools and potential to thrive in a well-drilled side.

Looking Ahead to Asia and Beyond

Ekitike’s medical is the last box to tick. Lynch shared, “The player is coming over tomorrow for his medical and then they will fly him out to Asia for the pre-season tour.” Assuming all goes to plan, Liverpool fans will soon see their new forward in action alongside Wirtz, Frimpong and the rest.

Slot’s Liverpool are not content with past success. This summer’s business has been sharp and purposeful, and the addition of Ekitike feels like a calculated risk rather than a desperate gamble.

Credit to David Lynch who shared these insights with Eddie Gibbs for Anfield Index, offering a grounded view on the transfer rather than sensationalism. As pre-season ramps up, Liverpool supporters can feel justified in their excitement, knowing the club is pushing hard to stay at the summit.