{"id":238171,"date":"2025-11-01T17:22:18","date_gmt":"2025-11-01T17:22:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/238171\/"},"modified":"2025-11-01T17:22:18","modified_gmt":"2025-11-01T17:22:18","slug":"hugo-ekitike-says-he-considers-one-of-his-liverpool-teammates-to-be-his-brother","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/238171\/","title":{"rendered":"Hugo Ekitike says he considers one of his Liverpool teammates to be his ‘brother’"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Hugo Ekitike has been a revelation since he joined Liverpool in the summer. <\/p>\n

Many thought that the Frenchman would come in and instantly become Alexander Isak\u2019s back-up<\/a>, but at the moment, that\u2019s been far from the case. <\/p>\n

The former Eintracht Frankfurt man has arguably been one of the Reds\u2019 best players this season, with Dominik Szoboszlai<\/a> not too far behind him. <\/p>\n

\"DominikPhoto by Gaspafotos\/MB Media\/Getty Images\"mailJoin our newsletter for news & smart analysis. <\/p>\n

And now that he\u2019s been a part of Arne Slot\u2019s<\/a> squad for a couple of months, he\u2019s already admitted that Ibrahima Konate<\/a> has become like a brother to him. <\/p>\n

Ibrahima Konate has been like a \u2018brother\u2019 to Hugo Ekitike since he joined Liverpool<\/p>\n

Before joining Liverpool, Ekitike<\/a> was overlooked by Didier Deschamps despite his solid form for Frankfurt towards the latter end of the 2024-25 season. <\/p>\n

And, even during the first international break after Ekitike got off to a flying start for Liverpool<\/a>, Deschamps still chose against calling him up. <\/p>\n

Since then, France\u2019s manager seems to have come to his senses and has finally given Liverpool\u2019s talisman his international debut. <\/p>\n

And now, while speaking to ESPN UK<\/a>, Ekitike was asked to describe his national teammates in one word. <\/p>\n

When asked about Konate, he replied: \u201cBrother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Not only does this show how quickly he\u2019s managed to integrate within Liverpool\u2019s first-team squad<\/a>, but it also outlines how quickly he\u2019s got used to being a part of France\u2019s national team.<\/p>\n

Hugo Ekitike must start every Liverpool game, even when Alexander Isak is back in action<\/p>\n

Ever since Isak joined Liverpool on deadline day<\/a>, a debate has been had about who the Reds\u2019 starting striker should be. <\/p>\n

Looking at Ekitike and Isak\u2019s form from last season, it feels obvious that the latter of the two should be the one leading the line. <\/p>\n

However, because the Sweden international chose to go on strike at Newcastle to force his way out of St James\u2019 Park in the summer, he had no pre-season and was only just getting back to full fitness before his injury. <\/p>\n

However, even in the snippets of performances that Liverpool\u2019s fans have seen from Isak, it\u2019s clear that Ekitike should be the one to lead the line for now.<\/p>\n

The Frenchman seems to be able to create something out of nothing, and he\u2019s often been rather clinical when presented with a chance in the final third. <\/p>\n

\"Liverpool'sPhoto by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV\/AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Ekitike also drops back a bit more than Isak, and with Liverpool having Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah<\/a> as inverted wingers, their strikers dropping back and creating chances is essential.<\/p>\n

At the moment, Slot doesn\u2019t have the dilemma of who to start due to Isak\u2019s injury<\/a>, but even when Isak is ready to feature again, it\u2019s hard to see why Ekitike should be dropped. <\/p>\n