Former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse has admitted he was initially scared about Hugo Ekitike’s transfer to Anfield.
Cisse notably had some issues of his own during his time at Liverpool at a similar stage in his career, and he’s explained that he felt worried Ekitike wouldn’t get much playing time.
The Frenchman has started very brightly so far, though, scoring three goals in his first three competitive games for the Reds since joining from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Ekitike is clearly looking like a fine signing, but Cisse wasn’t entirely sure how well it would go for him at first.
Former Liverpool star backs Hugo Ekitike
Cisse exclusively told Ladbrokes: “As a French guy, and a fellow striker, I’m really excited to see more of Hugo Ekitike this season, and I wish him the best at Liverpool.
Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
“To be honest, I was scared when he first came to the club that he wouldn’t get a lot of minutes, so I’m really happy and quite reassured with the amount of playing time he’s had already, and the fact he’s already scoring goals for the club.
“He’s a good player, so I want him to play as much as possible and to show that he deserves to be here. When you consider this is his first season in England, I think a really good season for him would be scoring anywhere between 10 and 15 goals.
“He’s arrived at a big club with big expectations, so if he manages somewhere around that total, that would be a good start in his first year… even though I know he can do more.”
Liverpool’s new-look side take on Arsenal next
Arne Slot’s men have made a strong start to the season with wins over Bournemouth and Newcastle, though they face Arsenal next in what will be an entirely different test altogether.
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The Gunners have also started strongly, beating Manchester United and Leeds, while their defence is rock-solid, with no goals conceded so far.
It remains to be seen if Ekitike can have much joy in a game against William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, while Liverpool need to improve at the back after…
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