Liverpool manager Arne Slot has hailed the transformation of Hugo Ekitike from backup striker to goal machine as the France international spearheads the club’s climb back up the Premier League table.
The reigning champions endured a nightmare slump, losing nine of 12 games across all competitions, but have clawed their way to fifth place with Ekitike leading the revival with eight league goals – including five in his last three games.
The 23-year-old’s summer arrival was overshadowed by the record signing of Alexander Isak. But with the Swedish striker sidelined for two months with a leg break and Mohamed Salah away at the Africa Cup of Nations, Ekitike has become indispensable.
He showed a lot of hard work to get to this fitness level where he is at the moment,” Slot said ahead of Saturday’s home game against bottom side Wolverhampton Wanderers.
