Hugo Ekitike’s transfer to Liverpool has already sparked debate, with questions raised over whether he made the right career choice.The French striker enjoyed a dream start, finding the net on his debut in the Community Shield against Crystal Palace. But his pathway to regular football quickly became complicated when Liverpool sealed a late-window swoop for Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, instantly creating fierce competition for the central striker role.Liverpool also bolstered their squad with the additions of Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth and Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen, further underlining their ambition to build depth across the pitch.⚽ Andy Gray’s verdict
Speaking on beIN SPORTS before Liverpool’s clash with Burnley on 14 September, pundit Andy Gray expressed disbelief at Ekitike’s decision-making process:> “If I were in his shoes, I’d want to know exactly what the club planned for me. And I can’t understand why he would join after being told another striker was coming in for twice the fee. That means fewer opportunities and more time on the bench.”Gray argued that a player of Ekitike’s age and international pedigree shouldn’t settle for a supporting role when his prime years are ahead of him.📊 Proven record in Germany
The 23-year-old hit an impressive 22 goals and 12 assists in 48 matches for Eintracht Frankfurt last season, making him one of Europe’s most sought-after young forwards. Now at Liverpool, he faces the challenge of proving his worth alongside Isak in a demanding fixture calendar.🔄 Rotation under Arne Slot
Manager Arne Slot will be tasked with carefully managing his two frontmen. Isak is expected to lead the line in headline fixtures such as the Champions League ties against Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid. However, Ekitike is tipped to feature prominently in matches against sides like Galatasaray and Frankfurt, as well as domestic cup games, including the upcoming Carabao Cup clash with Southampton on 23 September.With a packed schedule — Everton and Southampton in the league, plus European nights at Anfield — Ekitike will hope that rotation policy plays in his favour.For now, the debate continues: Did Hugo Ekitike choose the right time to join Liverpool, or will he spend more matches watching from the bench than leading the attack?