From Frankfurt to Anfield: Hugo Ekitike Eyes Next Level with Liverpool | OneFootball

Hugo Ekitike: Liverpool’s New No. 9-in-Waiting?

Perfect Timing for a Premier League Leap

Liverpool’s summer of sharp recruitment continued this week with the arrival of 23-year-old Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt. Speaking exclusively to Liverpool FC Official Website, the French U21 international expressed a genuine sense of awe and excitement at stepping into Anfield’s world-class environment.

“I feel very proud,” he said. “Obviously it’s a big, big club. I’m just excited, I’m a bit like a kid.” That sense of wide-eyed anticipation feels authentic, not rehearsed. Ekitike has endured a rapid rise through Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga, and now arrives in England as a player seemingly ripe for the Premier League stage.

His decision to move now, Ekitike explained, was about ambition. “Now, I feel ready to make a bigger step and to play on the highest level,” he said. “That’s why I think it’s the right timing for me and the perfect moment to come here.”

Building on a Bundesliga Breakthrough

Ekitike leaves behind a fruitful spell at Frankfurt, where he matured both on and off the pitch. “I could express myself. I found family there,” he said warmly. “I made mistakes also on the pitch, and I could improve. That’s the best way to learn.”

What stands out in this early Q&A is his grounded self-awareness. Ekitike doesn’t pretend to have reached the summit, but rather treats this move as the next stage of a journey he’s only beginning. With 17 months of top-level football in Germany under his belt and a permanent deal now completed, he brings both hunger and humility to his new home.

Street Skills and a Scouse Dream

Describing his game, Ekitike leaned into his roots. “I guess from the street! I always have been playing outside with my friends,” he said. He’s no conventional target man. His versatility and flair are hallmarks of his game — he’s a forward who thrives on creativity and confidence, which could make him an asset in Arne Slot’s fluid attacking system.

The new Liverpool boss made an instant impression: “The coach is very human… I can still improve and progress with him.”

Fan-Focused and Future-Driven

Whether reminiscing about watching YouTube clips or donning a Gerrard vintage shirt on holiday, Ekitike paints the picture of someone who understands the club’s culture. When asked if this was always the right club, his answer echoed Virgil van Dijk’s now-famous words: “Yeah, it was Liverpool.”

He wrapped up with a message that might soon be heard from the Kop: “Hey fans! Here [is] Hugo Ekitike, new Scouser! I can’t wait to win and score goals for you.”

If his attitude is anything to go by, the Frenchman is already onside.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

For Liverpool fans, Hugo Ekitike’s unveiling ticks more than just the boxes of a promising signing. There’s something raw, honest and refreshing about how he speaks. You can tell he’s not just giving a polished PR script — there’s an element of real gratitude and ambition behind his words.

His acknowledgment of the club’s stature, its fans, and the power of Anfield felt heartfelt: “Anfield is mad!” he said, almost laughing. And that’s exactly what supporters want to see — not just talent, but a player who gets it.

Ekitike’s past at Frankfurt suggests he’s not coming in cold. He’s played in Europe, experienced pressure, and had to win over a fanbase before. And if he can bring that ‘street footballer’ energy he talks about — the improvisation, the risk-taking — he might be a spark that lights up the Slot era.