Since his £79 million arrival at Anfield last summer, Hugo Ekitike has often been the overlooked figure in Liverpool's star-studded attack. Yet, a series of devastating performances and compelling statistics are forcing a major reassessment, creating a significant selection dilemma for manager Arne Slot.
Quietly Becoming a Goal Machine
The French striker has been quietly compiling an impressive record. Despite missing a game through suspension and often starting from the bench, only Erling Haaland and Igor Thiago have scored more Premier League goals this season. Ekitike boasts a remarkable rate of 0.72 goals per 90 minutes, a figure bettered only by Haaland and Thiago among players with six or more goals, and he doesn't take penalties.
His recent form has been particularly eye-catching. On Saturday 15 December 2025, he followed up a brace against Leeds United with another double versus Brighton & Hove Albion. This made him the youngest Liverpool player to score twice in consecutive Premier League matches since Michael Owen in 2001. Ironically, both games ended up being dominated by storylines concerning Mohamed Salah, once again leaving Ekitike's contributions as a subplot.
The Stark Comparison with Alexander Isak
The most compelling argument for Ekitike's inclusion is his direct comparison with club-record signing Alexander Isak. The data presents a stark contrast. In the Premier League, Ekitike averages a goal every 124 minutes; Isak has managed just one goal all season, averaging one every 493 minutes.
The underlying metrics are even more damning. Ekitike averages 3.11 shots per 90 minutes to Isak's 2.57, and is far more involved in general play, touching the ball 34.1 times per 90 compared to the Swede's 22.8. Crucially, Ekitike is overperforming his expected goals (xG), while Isak is underperforming his. The impact on results is clear: Liverpool have won seven of ten league matches Ekitike has started, collecting 22 points. With Isak leading the line, they have won just one of six, amassing only four points.
A Question of Sharpness and Strategy
Manager Arne Slot has previously pointed to Isak's lack of sharpness, noting the striker had made only one sprint over 30 km/h several weeks ago. In contrast, Opta data showed Ekitike made 25 high-intensity runs against Brighton alone. The pursuit of getting Isak up to speed has arguably cost both Ekitike and the team.
Ekitike's season has been a story of impactful moments often overshadowed. He scored in his first three games for the club, but each was a precursor to drama: a Community Shield loss on penalties, a narrow win over Bournemouth requiring a Federico Chiesa cameo, and a remarkable defeat at Newcastle sealed by a 100th-minute winner from 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha.
His frustration perhaps boiled over after a Carabao Cup winner against Southampton, where a needless shirt-removal celebration while on a yellow card earned a red and a rebuke from Slot, who called the act "stupid" and "needless".
The Path Forward for Slot's Attack
With Salah and Cody Gakpo absent for several weeks, Slot faces a tactical reshuffle. The two starts Ekitike and Isak have shared—in a 4-4-2 at Eintracht Frankfurt and with a diamond midfield against Inter Milan—offer a potential blueprint. Ekitike has a history of a successful strike partnership with Omar Marmoush in Germany, suggesting he can adapt.
However, his most devastating form has come as a lone front-runner, evidenced by his 12 shots in 160 minutes against Leeds and Brighton. Each goal Ekitike scores adds weight to the argument that the 'deluxe deputy' must now become the first name on the teamsheet. While Isak's £125 million price tag may have afforded him preferential treatment, the evidence on the pitch is becoming impossible for Arne Slot to ignore. A brave choice awaits.
