As Liverpool kicked off their pre-season with a clash against Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos, all eyes were on one of the Reds’ newest signings—Hugo Ekitike. The young French forward, freshly signed on a six-year deal, wasted no time showing flashes of what he could bring to Arne Slot’s evolving side.

With top-flight experience in Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga, Ekitike joined Liverpool this summer amid interest from Newcastle United. And in just 45 minutes of football, he gave fans a taste of his sharp instincts, creative flair, and clever positioning.

💥 A Strong Start… in Two Minutes!
Barely two minutes into the match, Ekitike cushioned a sharp pass from Mohamed Salah between two defenders with a silky first touch. While the move didn’t lead to a goal, it immediately set the tone for his lively presence up front.

👀 Flair on Display
Midway through the first half, Ekitike tried a cheeky flick after reading a pass from Conor Bradley. It didn’t quite come off, but it showed the confidence and improvisation that fans love to see in a forward.

👏 What the Fans Are Saying
Social media lit up with praise during the first half. One fan noted, “Ekitike already linking up better than Nunez ever did,” while another added, “He looks sharp and comfortable with Salah and Wirtz around him.”

📊 Half-Time Verdict
According to reports, Ekitike earned a 6/10 for his brief but encouraging outing. The Liverpool Echo highlighted his smart early play and his attempts to blend into the frontline, despite limited opportunities in front of goal.

⚽ By the Numbers
Last season at Eintracht Frankfurt, Ekitike delivered 34 goal contributions—22 goals and 12 assists—in 48 matches. If he can adapt quickly to the pace of the Premier League, Liverpool may have unearthed a gem.

📌 What’s Next for Slot’s Men?
With Luis Díaz now at Bayern Munich and the club still reportedly tracking Alexander Isak, there could be some tactical reshuffling ahead. Could Ekitike be the one to step into the spotlight?


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Stay tuned as Liverpool’s pre-season continues—and Ekitike looks to turn promise into Premier League firepower 🔥