Ekitike embracing pressure of Liverpool challenge

Early struggles and setbacks

Hugo Ekitike has spoken of how he relishes the pressure of representing Liverpool, along with the weight of his €95m transfer fee. It has been a remarkable journey for the 23-year-old, who left Stade de Reims for Paris Saint-Germain at a time when the Parisian attack included Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr. That step proved too great.

Opportunities were limited and when they came, Ekitike struggled to impose himself. His time in the French capital ended sourly when PSG attempted to include him as part of the deal to sign Randal Kolo Muani from Eintracht Frankfurt. Ekitike refused to be used as a makeweight, damaging his relationship with the club hierarchy.

Turning point in Germany

From there, he sought to rebuild in the Bundesliga, initially joining Frankfurt on loan before sealing a permanent switch. That move restored his confidence and his reputation, paving the way for Liverpool’s interest this summer. The champions committed to a €95m deal, underlining their belief that Ekitike could thrive at the very highest level.

Bright start at Anfield

His early performances have justified that faith. Two goals in three Premier League matches have offered evidence that he is not overawed by the environment. Rather than shrink under expectation, Ekitike has welcomed it. “My life has changed,” he admitted before France’s fixture with Iceland. “It is a big transfer. I am watched 1000 times more than before, but I take it as a positive. It is the position I wanted to be in. When you have these kinds of standards, you have to show that you deserve your place here and continue to perform. It is a position that I like to be in, and I want to keep it.”

Desire to prove himself

Those words reflect a mentality shaped by adversity and opportunity. Liverpool’s history is laden with forwards who turned pressure into performance, and Ekitike now finds himself on that same path. What began as a daunting leap at PSG has become a platform at Anfield. The challenge is no longer about survival, but about showing that he belongs among Liverpool’s elite.