Liverpool manager, Arne Slot has hailed former Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike for his impact in his first competitive game for the Reds, Softfootball reports.
The Merseyside outfit lost the Community Shield on Sunday to Crystal Palace 3-2 on penalties but it was new signings Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong that got the goals as they drew 2-2 during 90 minutes.
Speaking with Liverpool’s official club media, Slot was satisfied with the impact of the France international and believes that his goal will boost his confidence heading into the new season.
Arne Slot said:
“I think it’s always nice to score a goal – not only for him, also for Jeremie Frimpong – if you start your career at a new club, but it would have been even nicer to win a game of football because I think that’s more important than scoring a goal. He had a good impact but he is also an example of a player who came, I think, one-and-a-half to two weeks ago, at the end of our Asian tour.
“So for me, with only three or four days before the Friday game, it wouldn’t be smart to play him for 90 minutes because… of course we have Federico [Chiesa] but he has not been on the Asian tour as well, so there’s not a lot to replace him with. So, if he gets an injury at this moment of time, that would be a big risk for the Bournemouth, Newcastle and Arsenal games. That’s why I took him off but he had a good game today, that’s for sure.”
Liverpool signed Ekitike for €90milliom this summer from Bundesliga outfit, Frankfurt and will hope he carries his goalscoring form into the new season of the Premier League when they face Bournemouth next week.
