Name: Hugo Ekitiké 

Age: 23 (Born: June 20, 2002)  

Position: Striker/Center Forward  

Current Club: Liverpool FC  

Height: 190cm (6’3″)  

Preferred Foot: Right  

Nationality: French  

There are stars and even there are superstars and Liverpool football club is no stranger to either, usually a club that oversees that kind of transition to such a status, but Hugo Ekitiké seems like a star right on arrival, an undeniable aura and presence on the ball, Liverpool have clearly captured a gem.

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PLAYER PROFILE

Dribbling & Ball Carrying

– Exceptional dribbler with very strong ability in tight spaces whilst using his frame to shield against contact 

– Comfortable carrying the ball from deep positions during counterattacks and has a deceptive amount of pace when carrying on the ball

– Shows confidence in possession and willingness to take on defenders and beat his FB, especially on the outside with pace 

– Creates shooting and passing opportunities through his quick operations

– Opts for accuracy over power in his shots, enabled by his quick separation 

Movement & Intelligence  

– Intelligent off-the-ball movement that consistently troubles defenders, very comfortable moving along vertical channels between CBs to create space to arrive into

– Strong counter-attack threat with good-timed runs

– Effective at operating between the lines to link up play 

– Good at layoff play and link-up with teammates

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Passing & Creativity

– Strong key passing ability 

– Good overall passing range

– Capable of creating opportunities for teammates

Mental Profile

Ekitiké exudes a confident aura, fearless against any size of defender, on any stage, he has an innate ability to be unfazed by game challenges, a charisma in his actions that underlines his self-confidence, he has the inner making of a player that can be simply put – generational.

 Areas for Development

– Needs to improve strength to compete effectively in physical duels

– Surprisingly average in the air despite his 6’3″ frame and decent leaping ability

– Underutilizes his height advantage in aerial situations

– Hesitant to take touches with his weaker foot makes him somewhat predictable and easier to defend

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Data Analysis 24/25

Goal Scoring Efficiency and Expected Goals Analysis

Ekitiké scored 15 goals in 33 league appearances (The Transfer Flow)  (Bundesliga) , but the underlying metrics reveal some concerning trends about his finishing quality. He took 97 shots to score 13 goals (likely including cup competitions), generating an Expected Goals (xG) of 18.58, which averages 0.19 xG per shot  (Medium).

This presents a significant efficiency problem – he underperformed his xG by approximately 5.58 goals, suggesting poor shot selection and finishing consistency. The conversion rate data is particularly telling: his right foot produced 9 goals from 72 shots (12.5% conversion rate) while his left foot managed 3 goals from 14 shots  (Medium). While his left foot actually shows better conversion percentage, the small sample size makes this less reliable, and it reinforces the earlier assessment about his reluctance to use his weaker foot.

Creative Output and Passing Metrics

Ekitiké averaged 22.29 passes per game with a 76.30% completion rate, while contributing 1.54 key passes per match. The pass completion rate is relatively modest for a striker in the Bundesliga, suggesting he may struggle with simple technical execution under pressure or attempt more ambitious passes.

However, his Expected Assists (xA) output of 0.25 per 90 minutes indicates decent creative contribution for a center-forward, showing he can find teammates in dangerous positions. The 1.54 key passes per game is a strong number for a striker, highlighting his ability to create chances beyond just scoring.Shot Quality and PositioningThe data reveals a striker who gets into good positions but lacks clinical finishing.

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With an xG per shot of 0.19, Ekitike is generating moderate-quality chances, neither exceptional nor poor. This suggests he’s finding decent positions in the box but may not be getting into the highest-percentage scoring areas consistently. His significant underperformance of xG (scoring 5-6 fewer goals than expected) indicates either poor shot technique, rushed decision-making in front of goal, or both.

For a striker commanding an €80 million transfer fee, this finishing inconsistency represents the most significant concern in his statistical profile and suggests he has considerable room for improvement in converting the chances he creates, it also means there’s great potential for explosion, especially if Arne Slot can put him in high chance zones.

Conclusion

Ekitike is a promising young striker with excellent technical ability and movement. His dribbling skills and intelligence make him a constant threat, though physical limitations and inconsistent finishing present areas for improvement. At 23, he has significant potential for development, particularly under the Anfield lights.

By: @free__flowing

Featured Image: @GabFoligno / FEP – Icon Sport