Liverpool's Potential Starting XI Revealed if Hugo Ekitike Signs
Liverpool are looking to extend their substantial summer transfer activity by acquiring a new striker and appear to have pinpointed their main target.
Following a quickly rejected bid for Newcastle United's Alexander Isak, Liverpool have shifted their focus to Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitiké. The former Paris Saint-Germain forward has flourished in Germany and delivered an outstanding 2024–25 season that helped drive Frankfurt to third place in the Bundesliga standings and secure Champions League qualification.
The highly-regarded 23-year-old will require Liverpool to pay a substantial fee, with Frankfurt having established a valuation of £86 million ($116 million) earlier in the transfer period. The Reds appear undaunted, though, and it seems progressively more probable they will secure the Frenchman in the upcoming weeks.
Here's how Liverpool might deploy with Ekitiké.
Liverpool Predicted Lineup With Hugo Ekitiké
There are no questions regarding Ekitiké's optimal position. The Frankfurt talent is a conventional striker endowed with a 6'3 physique, outstanding pace and a precise finish. Following multiple seasons of Darwin Núñez unpredictability, the Reds urgently require a traditional No.9 capable of delivering consistently each week.
Ekitiké will operate as the central striker in Arne Slot's favored 4-2-3-1 formation, a championship-winning structure and approach that's unlikely to alter in 2025–26. He's a versatile player comfortable holding up play but equally dangerous running beyond opposing defenses, and he's a skilled dribbler and runner despite his considerable stature.
He's a comparable type of player to Isak, though significantly less seasoned and refined, and possesses tremendous potential to evolve into a genuinely world-class No.9. He will be anticipated to make an immediate impact at Anfield given the substantial transfer sum he's virtually guaranteed to require.
The Bundesliga has served as a crucial talent pipeline in recent seasons for Liverpool and Ekitiké will represent the third acquisition from Germany this summer. Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz have both joined from Bayer Leverkusen, with the latter expected to collaborate closely with Ekitiké.
The German will function as a classic No.10 in Slot's system and will be anticipated to develop a strong connection with his new attacking teammate—similar to the combination established between Ekitké and now Manchester City star Omar Marmoush during the opening half of Frankfurt's 2024–25 campaign.
Mohamed Salah will feature in nearly every match next season on the right flank and Luis Díaz will be Liverpool's primary choice on the left wing assuming he stays on Merseyside. Bayern Munich have considerable interest in the Colombian and it's understood he would be receptive to departing Liverpool in pursuit of a fresh challenge.
Liverpool's midfield partnership will remain unchanged from last season with Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister having established an exceptional combination, but there will be modifications in defense. Alisson, Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil van Dijk will continue as the backbone of the backline but new signings Frimpong and Milos Kerkez should instantly enter the team as full-backs to complete an exceptionally strong XI.
