Arne Slott’s Anfield squad is full of quite a lot of top-class expertise, however Liverpool are nonetheless struggling to get into gear this season.
The reality is, this was all the time going to be a testing yr for the Reds after the occasions of the summer season, and the workforce wanted some respiration room.
However soccer will go on and Liverpool, who’ve misplaced 5 of their final six Premier League video games, know they can’t afford to let the Premier League’s dire scenario proceed.
Both manner, Liverpool may very well be optimistic in regards to the future. Gamers like Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak should still be discovering their groove after their record-breaking summer season transfers, however they’re two of England’s most proficient gamers and their success on the membership is a matter of when, if not.
However there was no such misfortune for Hugo Ekitike, who has continued to enhance since finishing his £69m transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt in July.
The numbers that assist Hugo Ekitike’s begin at Liverpool
Nevertheless, a deeper have a look at the Merseysiders’ squad reveals that Liverpool are growing a gaggle of younger gamers with enormous potential and, regardless of the difficulties this yr, there’s a participant able to ultimately surpassing Ekitike in ninth place.
Some thought it was pointless for Liverpool to grab the French ahead from Newcastle United, who have been within the hunt for Isaac this summer season, however Ekitike responded decisively on the pitch.
Extremely cellular and inventive, Ekitike presents rather more than only a purpose. FBref’s stats underline his protean qualities, with him rating within the high 8% of Premier League strikers this season for shot-creating actions and within the high 2% for profitable take-offs per 90.
A profitable take-on is recorded when a participant, whereas nonetheless in possession of the ball, instantly carries the ball and defeats his opponent.
Throughout all competitions, he has scored extra targets than another Redman this season and has joined a unfastened tactical machine from abroad.
Liverpool’s entrance line in 2025/26 | ||
|---|---|---|
participant | app | Purpose + Help |
Hugo Ekitike | 16 | 6+1 |
mohamed salah | 15 | 5+3 |
Cody Agate | 16 | 4+3 |
federico chiesa | 12 | 2+3 |
alexander isak | 8 | 1+1 |
Florian Wirtz | 16 | 0+3 |
Ngumoha River | 6 | 1 + 0 |
Dates through Transfermarkt | ||
The 23-year-old’s capacity to modify up and alter his attacking outlook is considered one of his best strengths. He’s tactically adaptable and it will serve him properly for years to return.
He has definitely been a key a part of the attacking power this season and appears set to have a cheerful future on Merseyside. That stated, he’ll proceed to tussle with Isak for minutes and the Swedish striker is certain to make world-class progress in some unspecified time in the future.
Moreover, Liverpool are growing star gamers of their academy who’ve the potential to go all the way in which.
Liverpool teenager who might surpass Ekitike
When ‘Klopp’s youngsters’ guided Liverpool’s iconic supervisor to a silver medal in his remaining season, followers thought the membership had unearthed a treasure trove of promising expertise.
Most of those stars have since left, however Liverpool’s academy system continues to evolve, with some stars exhibiting they’ve actual potential.
Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngmoja are the large names, however Keylor Figueroa is definitely on his strategy to making a reputation for himself. The 19-year-old striker has scored seven targets in 9 league video games for Rob Web page’s improvement squad this season and is now the membership’s high scorer in any respect ranges, forward of Ekitike.
In October, Slott named Figueroa amongst his substitutes for the Carabao Cup at Anfield. Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat at Crystal Palace proved simply how extremely regarded {the teenager}, the son of former Premier League star Maynor Figueroa, was.
A strong runner, sturdy in duels and tenacious in each section of his play, Figueroa is on his strategy to the majors. It is unlikely he’ll get an opportunity on a Reds workforce loaded with offensive expertise, however Slott is clearly a fan.
It is maybe price noting that Liverpool’s Beneath-21s have not been at their finest this yr. After 9 video games, Web page’s workforce is in twenty first place out of a 29-team league.
Though he has solely received three video games, Figueroa has scored in every of these video games. He has began solely 5 of 9 video games this season. It is simple to see why Web page stated he may very well be a “lethal, ruthless No. 9.”
It is a exceptional medical efficiency for a prospect, and if he can show that he is unleashed sustainable attacking high quality, there is a good probability he’ll be knocking on the slot door earlier than many anticipated, frankly.
There was a transparent focus at Liverpool lately on carving out a transparent path from the academy to the primary workforce.
Figueroa deserves a shot, particularly since each shot he is taking proper now’s aimed behind the purpose. In fact, we have already seen the advantages of giving hungry children an opportunity this season (taking a look at you, Ngmoha).
Provided that Liverpool have struggled on the highest degree in latest months, it won’t be a nasty factor for Figueroa to be out for the subsequent few months if he continues to supply such medical outcomes.
He might not be at Ekitike’s degree in the intervening time, however his physicality and pure goal-mindedness recommend he might change into an actual star on Merseyside, and possibly even surpass the Frenchman sooner or later.
Greater mistake than Quansah: Liverpool bought subsequent Gravenberg for £15m
Liverpool made an even bigger mistake than letting go Jarrell Quansah once they let go of Ryan Gravenbirch for simply £15m.
