Brilliant attribute SOLD Arne Slot on Hugo Ekitike
Liverpool will reportedly sign Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt in a deal that's suddenly moved very quickly. The Reds weren't supposedly set on a striker a week ago - now they're about to sign one.
As soon as Liverpool were willing to sign Ekitike, it seems, a deal was ready to go. The exciting times continue, then, as they add the Frenchman to a remarkable transfer window.
Florian Wirtz is the headline act, joining for a club-record fee, while both Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong revitalise the full-back positions. Giorgi Mamardashvili is a new goalkeeper to rival Alisson Becker, too.
So why Ekitike? The obvious answer is that he's a fantastic talent who impressed no end for Frankfurt last season.
But there's apparently one key reason that sold Arne Slot on Ekitike.
Arne Slot impressed with Hugo Ekitike
Mark McAdam writes on Twitter that Slot is a big fan of Ekitike's versatility, with that being a key reason for getting a deal over the line. L'Équipe then goes further than that, explaining the attributes that Slot sees real potential in.
They say Slot knows Ekitike must improve his finishing but his ability to drop into different spaces to accommodate teammates and different styles of play is key here. The forward can certainly do that - he's happy to run behind but just as eager to collect the ball to feet.
Ekitike can play through the middle or drift out onto the left, too, with the inside channel being a favourite of his. It's exactly what Liverpool need in a centre-forward when Mo Salah is so dominant in attack.
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