Ekitike Finds Form as Liverpool Deliver Their Finest Display Under Slot
Liverpool’s trip to Frankfurt may have begun with tension, but it ended in triumph — and for Hugo Ekitike, it marked another defining step in a growing Anfield story. The French striker, once a hero at Deutsche Bank Park, returned to face his former club and left to a different kind of applause: one laced with reluctant admiration.
Ekitike Rises to the Challenge
Few outside Liverpool’s inner circle will know how Ekitike reacted when the club signed Alexander Isak in early September. A £125m arrival would test any forward’s resolve. Yet, rather than retreat from competition, Ekitike responded with precisely the attitude Arne Slot demands. His goal in the 5-1 demolition of Eintracht Frankfurt was more than a key equaliser — it was a statement of intent.
Since his £79m move from Frankfurt in July, Ekitike has embraced both the expectation and intensity that comes with leading the line for Liverpool. Now a full France international, he has begun to justify the investment that made him one of the most discussed transfers of the summer. His strike in Germany — his sixth of the season, including the Community Shield — reasserted his place as Liverpool’s top scorer so far.
Slot’s System Brings the Best from Liverpool
Trailing to Rasmus Kristensen’s early goal, Slot’s side faced questions over their defensive resilience and attacking rhythm. Yet Ekitike’s calm finish, latching onto Andy Robertson’s perfectly weighted through ball, changed the momentum entirely. It was a goal born from awareness and precision — two traits that have defined his recent performances.
From that moment, Liverpool found fluency. Their passing grew sharper, their press more cohesive. The result — a resounding 5-1 victory — felt like a breakthrough, not only in scoreline but in conviction. Slot, often understated in his assessments, will have recognised this as the most complete performance of his tenure so far.
Calm and Composed Amid Redemption
Ekitike’s reaction to scoring was markedly subdued. Having earned a suspension for over-celebration in the Carabao Cup win over Southampton, his restraint this time reflected a newfound maturity. Respect for his former club was part of it, but so too was an understanding that Liverpool’s ambitions extend far beyond personal triumphs.
Inside, though, the 23-year-old will have felt vindicated. His recent spell on the bench was not due to form but circumstance, and his display in Frankfurt reinforced the view that he belongs in Slot’s strongest XI. Strong, agile and composed in possession, he embodied the attributes of a modern centre-forward — a focal point who not only scores but elevates those around him.
Future Secured Through Form
As debates continue around Mohamed Salah’s rotation, Isak’s fitness, and how best to integrate Florian Wirtz, Ekitike’s consistency has made him undroppable. His blend of athleticism, intelligence and finishing instinct fits seamlessly within Slot’s evolving blueprint.
For a player once cheered by Frankfurt’s faithful, the night was a reminder of how far he has come. For Liverpool, it was confirmation that when Ekitike is in form, they are a different side entirely — sharper, more balanced, and undeniably dangerous.
At 23, his best years remain ahead. But already, Ekitike’s resurgence is offering Liverpool the kind of reliability they had long sought at centre-forward. In a season where every game carries weight, his rediscovered form could prove one of Arne Slot’s defining advantages.
