The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ekitike

  • Ekitike scores twice as Salah returns in Liverpool’s 2–0 win over Brighton

    Ekitike scores twice as Salah returns in Liverpool’s 2–0 win over Brighton

    Mohamed Salah marked his eagerly awaited Liverpool return with an assist as Arne Slot’s side beat Brighton thanks to a Hugo Ekitike double.

    Victory pushed the Reds up to sixth as they extended their unbeaten run to five games following a first win at Anfield since 4 November.

    All eyes were on Salah, who returned to the squad after he was left out for Liverpool’s midweek Champions League win at Inter Milan following his extraordinary outburst last weekend at Leeds United.

    Named on the bench by Slot, the Egyptian forward came on in the 26th minute after defender Joe Gomez was forced off with an injury and Dominik Szoboszlai slotted in at right-back.

    Earlier, Gomez played his part in Liverpool’s opener as his header found Ekitike, who took one touch and volleyed past Bart Verbruggen after just 46 seconds – the quickest Premier League goal of the season so far.

    Brighton had chances to level but failed to take them, with an outstretched leg from Alisson denying Diego Gomez, who was through on goal, before Gomez also missed an open goal after the break.

    And Liverpool punished Fabian Hurzeler’s side for their wastefulness when Salah’s corner picked out an unmarked Ekitike at the back post and he headed his second on the hour mark.

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    It was the Frenchman’s 10th goal of the season and second double in as many league games after the 3-3 draw at Leeds.

    Salah’s assist took him to 277 goal involvements in 302 Premier League appearances for Liverpool – the most by any player for a single club in the competition, overtaking Wayne Rooney (276) at Manchester United.

    He was involved in several promising attacks, but missed a golden opportunity to score his 251st goal for the club when he blazed wide in injury time after being teed up by Federico Chiesa’s ball.

    After the game, Salah applauded all four sides of Anfield, with the Egyptian set to report for national team duty on Monday before the Africa Cup of Nations. He could miss up to eight games if Egypt reach the final in Morocco.

    With his future still uncertain, whether or not he plays for Liverpool again remains to be seen after Salah claimed in his interview at Elland Road that this could be his farewell game.

    But, after a tumultuous week, Liverpool have back-to-back wins and clean sheets, while Brighton drop down to ninth place.

    BBC

  • Liverpool sign Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt

    Liverpool sign Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt

    Liverpool completed the signing of striker Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt for a reported £69 million ($92 million) as the Premier League champions continued their summer spending spree.

    “The 23-year-old has successfully completed a medical and agreed personal terms with the Reds, allowing him to fly out to Hong Kong to join his new teammates on their pre-season tour of Asia later this week,” Liverpool said in a statement.

    The deal taking the France Under-21 international to Anfield is set to push Liverpool’s spending past £250m this summer.

    Liverpool switched their focus to Ekitike following Newcastle’s refusal to sell Sweden striker Alexander Isak, who is valued at around £150 million by the Magpies.

    Newcastle and Manchester United were also interested in Ekitike, but Liverpool have won the race for one of Europe’s hottest young stars.

    It is believed the Reds have agreed to pay a potential further £10 million in add-ons to sign Ekitike, whose overall price tag could reach £79 million.

    Ekitike scored 22 goals in 48 games in all competitions for Frankfurt last season after joining the Bundesliga club from Paris Saint-Germain.

    He was named in the Bundesliga team of the season as Frankfurt finished third in Germany last term.

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    Liverpool have an opening in their forward line after Diogo Jota’s recent death in a car crash in Spain.

    The Reds are also believed to be willing to sell Uruguay striker Darwin Nunez, while Colombia forward Luis Diaz has been the target of a rejected bid from Bayern Munich.

    Liverpool have already splashed out £116 million on Germany playmaker Florian Wirtz, as well as signing defenders Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez from Bayer Leverkusen and Bournemouth respectively.

    Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili has also linked up with Arne Slot’s side since the end of last season after agreeing his move from Valencia in 2024.

    Ekitike began his career with his hometown club Reims and had a brief loan spell in Denmark in 2021 before earning a move to PSG the following year.

    He struggled to make an impact in his first season in Paris alongside the likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, but claimed a Ligue 1 winner’s medal.

    His opportunities were again limited at the start of the 2023-24 campaign before he joined Frankfurt on loan.

    “Hugo has improved tremendously in his 18 months with us and has been a real asset to our team and the club as a whole on and off the pitch,” said Eintracht sporting director Markus Krosche.

    “We’re delighted he can now take the next step – a step he has earned through his performances with us.”

  • Liverpool agree £69m fee for striker Ekitike

    Liverpool agree £69m fee for striker Ekitike

    Liverpool have agreed an initial £69m fee to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike.

    The 23-year-old Frenchman is expected to arrive in the UK on Tuesday before having a medical.

    Frankfurt accepted a deal worth £79m, with £69m guaranteed and £10m in add-ons.

    Ekitike is expected to sign a six-year contract and will fly out to join Liverpool’s Asia tour later this week.

    Newcastle had a £70m bid for Ekitike rejected this month, while Liverpool have shown an interest in Magpies striker Alexander Isak.

    Ekitike scored 15 goals in 31 starts as Frankfurt finished third in the Bundesliga last season.

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    His arrival will push Liverpool’s spending past £250m this summer.

    They signed Florian Wirtz for a potential British record £116m, while defenders Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong have arrived for a combined £70m.

    Only five players bettered Ekitike’s scoring record in the Bundesliga last season, and he provided eight assists.

    He had 117 shots on goal, more than any other player.

  • Liverpool close in on Ekitike in £70m-plus deal

    Liverpool close in on Ekitike in £70m-plus deal

    Liverpool are in advanced talks to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike in a deal worth more than £70m.

    Multiple sources have indicated that Liverpool aim to have the transfer wrapped up by this weekend.

    Newcastle have had a £70m offer for Ekitike rejected by Frankfurt, with Liverpool’s offer expected to surpass it.

    Ekitike is open to joining the Premier League champions, who want to sign a central striker.

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    Liverpool have also shown a major interest in Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, but the Magpies are adamant the Swede is not for sale at any price.

    Liverpool have signed midfielder Florian Wirtz in a potential British record £116m deal this summer and paid £40m and £30m respectively for full-backs Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong.

    Newcastle are expected to accelerate their interest in Brentford striker Yoane Wissa within the next 24 hours after their own attempts to land Ekitike slowed.

    BBC