Neville Admits Ekitike Has Proven Him Wrong as Liverpool Forward Delivers Immediate Impact
Gary Neville has acknowledged that Hugo Ekitike has confounded his pre-season expectations after the striker’s impressive start to life at Liverpool.
Speaking on Stick to Football, Neville openly conceded that his early-season assessment of the French forward had missed the mark. Reflecting on predictions made ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, the former Manchester United defender said: “At the start of the season, you said he’d be a hit, Ian [Wright]. I said eventually but not straight away, and I was wrong. He’s been a hit straight away.”
Those remarks underline just how quickly Ekitike has established himself at Liverpool under Arne Slot. Signed from Eintracht Frankfurt for an initial £69 million, as reported by The Independent, the 23-year-old arrived with potential but without certainty over how swiftly he would adapt to the Premier League. Within months, that uncertainty has largely evaporated.
Ekitike Silences Doubts with Rapid Adaptation
When Liverpool secured Ekitike’s signature last summer, there was recognition that he possessed significant upside. However, the consensus among some pundits, including Neville, was that the forward might require a period of adjustment.
Instead, Ekitike has produced immediate returns. With 15 goals in all competitions, including 10 in the Premier League, alongside four assists, his contribution has been decisive. Data from Transfermarkt supports the growing narrative around his productivity and consistency.
Neville’s admission is notable not simply because it is rare for pundits to revisit early predictions, but because it highlights the scale of Ekitike’s impact. The former defender’s words — “I was wrong. He’s been a hit straight away.” — capture the speed at which the Frenchman has altered perceptions.
Liverpool’s attacking structure under Slot has demanded mobility, pressing intensity and intelligent movement. Ekitike has met those requirements while also providing penalty-box presence. His finishing has been clinical overall, even if recent missed opportunities against Manchester City and Sunderland have attracted attention.
Liverpool Forward Steps Up Amid Isak Injury
Ekitike’s emergence has been shaped in part by circumstances. Liverpool’s club-record £125 million signing of Alexander Isak, confirmed by BBC Sport last summer, initially suggested a partnership or rotational arrangement would define the forward line.
However, Isak’s autumn fitness concerns and a pre-Christmas leg injury disrupted that plan. As a result, Ekitike has carried greater responsibility than many anticipated.
Rather than being overshadowed, he has thrived. His ability to lead the line, link play and stretch defences has ensured Liverpool maintained attacking output during a potentially destabilising period.
Neville’s revised assessment reflects this context. Predictions made in pre-season assumed a gradual bedding-in process. Instead, Ekitike has accelerated beyond expectations, providing Liverpool with reliability and dynamism.
Neville Revisits Pre-Season Prediction
Neville’s candid reflection on Stick to Football offered a rare moment of public recalibration. Referencing Ian Wright’s contrasting view, he admitted: “At the start of the season, you said he’d be a hit, Ian. I said eventually but not straight away, and I was wrong.”
That clarity matters. It illustrates how Ekitike’s performances have shifted wider opinion. For Liverpool supporters, the debate over adaptation periods now feels distant.
Under Slot, Liverpool are navigating a transitional phase following Jürgen Klopp’s departure. Stability in key areas has been essential. Ekitike’s output has helped maintain attacking standards during that adjustment.
Sustaining Momentum Through Remaining Fixtures
While early returns have been impressive, the challenge now is sustainability. At 23, Ekitike remains in a developmental phase. Consistency across an entire Premier League season will ultimately define whether this campaign marks the beginning of long-term success or simply an exceptional introduction.
There have been moments of frustration, including high-profile misses in recent fixtures. Yet those instances are outweighed by overall contribution. The trajectory remains upward.
For Neville, the recalibration is straightforward. “I was wrong. He’s been a hit straight away.” Few statements summarise Ekitike’s first six months at Liverpool more succinctly.
As the season progresses, attention will shift from proving doubters wrong to meeting rising expectations. On current evidence, Ekitike appears equipped for that challenge.
