Hugo Ekitike (not playing for Liverpool for a while)

[The College Dropout]

2 minutes ago, KingArthur said:

We need quite a few players. Signing expensive second striker leaves huge gaps in our squad. Really cannot see this. Usually the ones on the bench are cheaper, younger players who are developed. Not 70 or so million striker that everyone is after. 

We’ll have to see what the squad looks like at the end of the summer before coming to any conclusions about what we can and can’t afford. Next June actually.  

[Abacus]

31 minutes ago, Bondedcrown said:

He Meant  It who would want to leave 

 

Correct. But it's also a valid response even then. He's maybe one we'd move on, much as I like him when he's fit and on form.

[madras]

27 minutes ago, KingArthur said:

Even if we change the system, that means Joelinton is dropped. He was one of our best players last season. If Ekitike comes, Isak leaves next year or Gordon this summer. 
 

And still we need CM and a big money defender, maybe even a GK. Dont think this has legs. 

Dropped ? Rotated for certain games where he'll be on the bench if we want/need to  change things. We can't go an entire season with what we have in midfield, or if we do there will be spells if struggling like tge middle of last season.

 

I do t think it has legs because Ekitike is next best to Isak and Liverpool need one of them.

 

 

Edited July 13, 2025 by madras

[mighty__mag]

31 minutes ago, KingArthur said:

If we change to 4-2-3-1, which I doubt, Joelinton is the one dropping. Or what do you mean?

 

You're not seeing the bigger picture. 

 

Not being arrogant,  but also I'll be typing an essay if I explain 

 

 

Edited July 13, 2025 by mighty__mag

[TRon]

25 minutes ago, KingArthur said:

This is true, but why would he accept that?

 

Why would who accept it? I said there was more than enough games for two players so are you talking about Isak or Ekitike?

 

 

[Pilko]

Not sure if some of us are still conditioned to old "purples" idea but the next step of our evolution is going to involve having actual good players on the bench or rotated in and out. Joelinton will still start 25-30 games if he's healthy next season even if we bring in these reinforcements. 

 

Given he's the example we're talking about, he's not so useful at home to the lower placed sides where a more creative player would definitely help us in those scenarios. Having different options will be class.

[midds]

6 minutes ago, madras said:

Dropped ? Rotated for certain games where he'll be on the bench if we want/need to  change things. We can't go an entire season with what we have in midfield, or if we do there will be spells if struggling like tge middle of last season.

 

I do t think it has legs because Ekitike is next best to Isak and Liverpool need one of them.

 

 

 

Agreed, we have to change our mentality as fans from 'this is our team' to 'this is our squad'. We're going to have to accept that players will need a rest at points during the season and that might mean a few raised eyebrows when some teams are named. No dummy spitting, no moaning about players being brought off after 60 mins in key games, next season is a squad game and we need to rely on all players to be part of it, it's a joint task. That's why I'm so keen to move players who contribute/offer little to nothing out of the club. We need bodies in capable of stepping up and filling in all season, keep on saying it but frees and loans need to be used to fill the gaps 

[KingArthur]

6 minutes ago, TRon said:

 

Why would who accept it? I said there was more than enough games for two players so are you talking about Isak or Ekitike?

 

 

Ekitike. He would be guaranteed starter for many big teams. Even at Liverpool. With us he is playing with Isak or when Isak is rested/injured

[KingArthur]

9 minutes ago, mighty__mag said:

 

You're not seeing the bigger picture. 

 

Not being arrogant,  but also I'll be typing an essay if I explain 

 

 

 

Seems like I am not, but bringing an attacking player with that much money means Joelinton is not starting. Or Gordon or Isak. All of which are pretty much first names on the XI atm 

 

I get what people are saying about ambition and that. But our squad needs bodies elsewhere far more than expensive 2nd striker. We were priced out of Guehi but now we suddenly have 200 million to spend? Not buying it. 

[Ikon]

I’m desperate for this happening even though I don’t allow myself to get carried away thinking it’s happening. Boy it would be a bold and exciting move. Nah, next..

[HayDen Traces]

Gordon             Isak            Elanga

 

                        Ekitike

 

            Tonali               Bruno

 

Could be 1 formation

[HayDen Traces]

                        Isak

 

             Ekitike        Elanga

 

Joelinton       Tonali             Bruno 

 

With Hall and Tino giving us width

[KingArthur]

13 minutes ago, Pilko said:

Not sure if some of us are still conditioned to old "purples" idea but the next step of our evolution is going to involve having actual good players on the bench or rotated in and out. Joelinton will still start 25-30 games if he's healthy next season even if we bring in these reinforcements. 

 

Given he's the example we're talking about, he's not so useful at home to the lower placed sides where a more creative player would definitely help us in those scenarios. Having different options will be class.

People are mistaking good players to bring from the bench (like Barnes, Murphy & Trippier) to players that are world class and wanted everywhere. At the moment our finances don't allow us to buy players like Ekitike, if we want to strengthen elsewhere. We can afford to have good players on the bench, not world class ones.

 

Of course we might still get him. But I would also like to have a CB, GK and CM also for the 50-60 games we are playing... I think I can live with Pope with another season, but with midfield options like Willock and Longstaff? Naah.. 

[mighty__mag]

12 minutes ago, KingArthur said:

Seems like I am not, but bringing an attacking player with that much money means Joelinton is not starting. Or Gordon or Isak. All of which are pretty much first names on the XI atm 

 

I get what people are saying about ambition and that. But our squad needs bodies elsewhere far more than expensive 2nd striker. We were priced out of Guehi but now we suddenly have 200 million to spend? Not buying it. 

 

No I know you're not, but I will end up going into too much detail to explain, Joelinton sacrifice isn't a guarantee, or any of the others you mention.

 

From this reply again, you're missing the bigger picture. 

 

And I'm only basing that opinion on us signing Ekitike. 

 

Joelinton is approaching 29 in a few weeks, he is an absolute warrior on the pitch but picks up many injuries,  squad rotation in so many competitions is a huge huge deal, we never want to be in a position where we end up like we did in our last CL season mounting up injuries and derailing our entire season, lessons are learned every season. If we wanted a player who can fill in when we rest Isak then we'd simply be in for DLC or Danny Ings, the stage we're at now is were replacing Wilson with better than Wilson, and we're wanting a player for when Isak needs resting to be the quality coming in is or as close ( but with time to grow )

With Joelinton he will need a rest, as will Bruno and others, don't forget Bruno played nearly every game last season, he'd be on Burn out if that was expected with an even bigger schedule coming.

 

The other thing, to keep getting to the elite level, the quality off the bench or options to change a game you're possibly drawing or losing can be game changing, Howe will never say he didn't have the tools last season, but those games like Bournemouth/Brighton, he might have if he had better options, not forgetting we were two players down from the start of last season,one who scored past us in the above mentioned games, you could argue with extra quality Howe can do things he can't or couldn't in those games.

 

The thing is there isn't one set team or formation or one size fits all,  players will need to sit out and be called upon when needed. 

 

Also you need a contingency, imagine if Isak was injured in our first game, out for months? 

 

The bigger picture.

 

You're basing most of it on if you were the manager and the only formations or system is 4231 or whatever.

 

You don't move forward standing still.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 13, 2025 by mighty__mag

[KingArthur]

Just now, mighty__mag said:

 

No I know you're not, but I will end up going into too much detail to explain, Joelinton sacrifice isn't a guarantee, or any of the others you mention.

 

From this reply again, you're missing the bigger picture. 

 

And I'm only basing that opinion on us signing Ekitike. 

 

 

Maybe you should then clarify what is the bigger picture that I am missing?

I know Howe speaks about quality over quantity, but with his playing style and extra games from UCL, we really need a bigger squad. People are saying "but if we buy Ekitike and play with 2 strikers or 4-4-2". But then we would need 4 strikers! Or 3 at least and Elanga/Gordon as a backup there. We have made 1 senior purchase in what 2 years, and we really need quite a few now to manage UCL and EPL.

People are talking about title challenge and spending 200-300 million. If this is the expectation then many will sadly feel disappointed..

[Elma]

If we're legitimately trying to sign Ekitike having missed out on Pedro, then we must have more money available than I thought. We know we need an RCB and ideally a midfielder and keeper, but if we strengthen all of those then it might be another few dry years in the market - spend big in a window and then keep a settled group until those purchases fall off the FFP accounting period.

 

If it meant getting Ekitike, Gallagher and a decent RCB having got Elanga that would be an incredible window, even without a keeper. I'd happily sacrifice Willock, Longstaff and even Barnes for that as a front three of Ekitike, Isak and Elanga could interchange in game, and with Gordon and Murphy as back up, you could rest Isak more with Ekitike there.

 

With Willock favoured further forward (where we have cover with Gordon and Joelinton) and having not recaptured his form of 22/23, I'd rather have one (Gallagher) who would join the first choice pool, rather than two (Willock/Longstaff) who represent a significant drop in quality.

 

If only we still had Anderson too (sigh).

 

In summary, if we can get the above in, I'd happily ship out Willock, Longstaff, Targett and, slightly reluctantly, Barnes to help offset the costs and then not spend (without sales) for a year or two.

[Pilko]

9 minutes ago, KingArthur said:

People are mistaking good players to bring from the bench (like Barnes, Murphy & Trippier) to players that are world class and wanted everywhere. At the moment our finances don't allow us to buy players like Ekitike, if we want to strengthen elsewhere. We can afford to have good players on the bench, not world class ones.

 

Of course we might still get him. But I would also like to have a CB, GK and CM also for the 50-60 games we are playing... I think I can live with Pope with another season, but with midfield options like Willock and Longstaff? Naah.. 

 

You don't know that for definite, though. Neither do I, but we can be reasonably sure the club/Eddie wouldn't just spunk the whole budget on Ekitike if it meant glaring holes in the squad elsewhere.

 

Willock and Longstaff seem like an alternative piece of the puzzle in that we'll need to sell one to bring a different midfielder in, otherwise you've then got 7 senior midfielders, 8 if you include Joe White. Less to do with spending but more to do with squad places.

 

I wonder if we've hit a roadblock with Trafford and conceded another year of Pope is worth getting a big statement like Ekitike in. As far as I'm concerned if you're being quoted £40-£50m for Wissa or Watkins you may as well drop £80m on Ekitike.

[macphisto]

2 minutes ago, Pilko said:

 

You don't know that for definite, though. Neither do I, but we can be reasonably sure the club/Eddie wouldn't just spunk the whole budget on Ekitike if it meant glaring holes in the squad elsewhere.

100%, for all we know PIF might have something up their sleeve to boost income to accommodate these signings. I'm not saying they will but there's ways to do it if they wanted to. 

[TRon]

30 minutes ago, KingArthur said:

Ekitike. He would be guaranteed starter for many big teams. Even at Liverpool. With us he is playing with Isak or when Isak is rested/injured

 

Are Liverpool going to pin their hopes on Ekitike or would they rather go for Isak even in a year's time? 

[SUPERTOON]

32 minutes ago, KingArthur said:

Ekitike. He would be guaranteed starter for many big teams. Even at Liverpool. With us he is playing with Isak or when Isak is rested/injured

Only Salah is a guaranteed starter for them, the rest are rotated.

[janpawel]

I understand the 4-4-2 suggestions, or 4-2-3-1 with Ekitike / Isak, but I could only see this being used on occasion, I just can't see is moving substantially away from the 4-4-3

 

Were built towards the 4-3-3 and have had enormous success. I'm sure Eddie knows better now than he did in his Bournemouth days. 

 

Though on the other hand, the usual 'formation' is a bit redundant these days as teams have completely different formations whether with the ball, without, rest defence etc etc

 

Arsenal have an amazing 4-4-2 midblock, but we seem to prefer 4-5-1 or 5-4-1.

[TRon]

If Isak doesn't sign a new contract with us, every chance Ekitike would become our no 1 striker in 12 months anyway if he hits it off. The only reason we would go for Ekitike IMO is to give us insurance if Isak wants more wages than we can currently afford. 

[Stottie]

1 minute ago, macphisto said:

100%, for all we know PIF might have something up their sleeve to boost income to accommodate these signings. I'm not saying they will but there's ways to do it if they wanted to. 

 

For starters, them getting one of their Saudi clubs to pay a healthy fee for Joelinton, who's 29 next month, would help.

Based on amortisation, this would cover Gallagher as a replacement and a big chunk of Ekitike.

Either way, 29 means the "sell high" window for Joelinton won't be for that much longer.

 

[Keggy_Keagal]

There's a number of factors at play here . As others have mentioned this could be a move to force Liverpool's hand. With the vagaries of PSR could be a gamble that we'll be ok financially if we get Champion's League this coming season. If FFP/Psr is going the way of Europe we may just risk a fine if we don't. Could be there's some sort of gentlemen's agreement with Isak to let him go next summer or indeed with someone like Gordon this summer. The club may have something in the pipeline to boost our financial situation. Don't forget those within football may already know what the outcome of the Manchester City case is and that may be influencing us going forwards. I'm not worried about the whole who plays where and who's going to be dropped Eddie's more than capable of handling that and this season we've a hell of a lot more games. Really good players potentially signing for your club is always a positive. Howay the Lads. 

[mighty__mag]

14 minutes ago, KingArthur said:

Maybe you should then clarify what is the bigger picture that I am missing?

I know Howe speaks about quality over quantity, but with his playing style and extra games from UCL, we really need a bigger squad. People are saying "but if we buy Ekitike and play with 2 strikers or 4-4-2". But then we would need 4 strikers! Or 3 at least and Elanga/Gordon as a backup there. We have made 1 senior purchase in what 2 years, and we really need quite a few now to manage UCL and EPL.

People are talking about title challenge and spending 200-300 million. If this is the expectation then many will sadly feel disappointed..

 

I've expanded my previous reply 👍🏻