Liverpool have completed deal for NEW Erling Haaland

Liverpool overhauled their strike line last summer following their 2024/25 Premier League title win.

Out went Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz - replaced by Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz at No9 and No7 respectively.

But sporting director Richard Hughes also took the decision to beef up his attack with the surprise acquisition of Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt.

Ekitike, 23, cost an initial £69m - with eyebrows being raised over the move considering that a deal for Isak was still very much in the works.

But the France international has made a mockery of those predictions that he would be playing second fiddle to Isak - who cost nearly double at £125m from Newcastle.

Ekitike already eclipsing Isak

The striker began the season in sensational form - netting in his first three Liverpool matches and carrying the fight up front while Isak worked on his fitness.

A harsh demotion followed - with Ekitike also struggling for goals - but he has come roaring back in the last few fixtures.

Ekitike has scored FOUR goals in his last two Premier League matches - against Leeds and Brighton - and his overall tally now stands at 10 in only 23 games.

That is a very good strike rate for a forward new to the English game and Ekitike stands a real chance of ending Mohamed Salah’s streak as Liverpool’s top scorer in every season he’s been at the club.

Indeed research conducted by the Athletic now shows that Ekitike is second only to Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland in non-penalty goals per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season.

Only Haaland better than Ekitike

The Norwegian has just gone past a century of top-flight goals for City since joining in 2022 - netting 102 in only 113 outings.

“Ekitike has showcased a ruthless streak, with his seven league goals coming from an xG (expected goals) figure of 4.4, and a shot conversion rate of 23 per cent,” the analysis reads.

“Among top-flight players who have clocked up at least 500 minutes of game time this season, only Erling Haaland of Manchester City boasts a better rate of non-penalty goals per 90 minutes than his 0.72.”

Ekitike has easily surpassed the achievements of striking rival Isak so far in the duo’s time at the club - and it’s fair to say he’s been Hughes’ best acquisition of a record-breaking summer.

Ekitike makes things happen

The numbers back these claims up - with the Athletic stating that Ekitike’s lively style is helping Liverpool through a difficult season.

“The Frenchman has so many facets to his game,” the report continues.

"Only Chelsea’s Joao Pedro has averaged more take-ons than his 3.5 per 90 among top-flight centre-forwards this season, and only Haaland and Nottingham Forest’s Igor Jesus average more shots per 90 than his 3.1. Put simply, the guy makes things happen.”

Liverpool have secured Ekitike to a six-year contract and in time the £69m fee should come to feel like a bargain.

The Reds were adamant about doing a deal ahead of Newcastle last summer and their persistent approach has certainly paid off for a striker touching on Haaland-like levels.

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