Manager says it took some time to “convince” the No 9 to put in current level of hard work
Arne Slot believes Hugo Ekitike is ready to shoulder greater responsibility at Liverpool after praising the striker’s work ethic and performance so far in his first season in English football.
Ekitike has seized the stage following a broken leg suffered by Alexander Isak, an injury expected to sideline the Sweden international until almost near the end of the season. With Liverpool entering a demanding run of fixtures by the new year, Slot has said he is confident in the French forward’s ability to maintain his recent scoring form.
Signed from Eintracht Frankfurt in a deal worth up to £69m, Ekitike has been one of the more convincing performers among Liverpool’s summer recruits. The 23-year-old has eight league goals to his name and 11 across all competitions, placing him among the Premier League’s leading scorers. Five goals in his last three outings show a surge in confidence and output.
Slot said the player’s improvement has been driven by work both on and off the pitch.
“He’s shown a lot of hard work to get to this fitness level where he is at the moment,” Slot said. “It sometimes took us a bit of convincing [him] that this all is actually really needed to become stronger but he always did it.
“Not always with a smile on his face but he’s worked really hard to get fitter and fitter on and off the pitch.”
The Liverpool head coach stressed that Ekitike’s development has not been limited to attacking play, pointing to the striker’s growing defensive contribution, particularly at set-pieces.
“I’ve tried to convince him as well that the better you defend a set-piece, the bigger chance you have to score a goal at the other end,” Slot said. “If it’s 0-0, it’s easier to score a goal than when you’re 1-0 down.
“This might sound strange but what it does for the energy levels of the other team is a difference. For him to score goals, it’s also important that we hardly concede from set-pieces.”
While Ekitike is likely to start more regularly during Isak’s absence, Slot was keen to stress that Liverpool retain attacking options and that the Frenchman will not be overburdened.
“He’s worked really hard to get where he is now and I think he’s ready to go into the programme we are facing now,” Slot said. “But he’s not the only No 9 I have. Federico Chiesa can also play in that position so I have the chance to take him off if he’s completely tired.”
