‘He’s not the same player he was at PSG’ – Djibril Cissé on Hugo Ekitike’s transformation

Speaking to L’Équipe, former Liverpool striker Djibril Cissé has praised Hugo Ekitike’s development since leaving Paris Saint-Germain, describing the new Liverpool signing as “a different player” to the one who struggled in Ligue 1.“He’s not the same player he was at PSG,” said Cissé. “He wants to try crazy things again – and they’re coming off.”After a difficult spell in Paris where he was largely on the fringes, Ekitike rebuilt his form and confidence during a standout season at Eintracht Frankfurt – finishing the 2024/25 campaign with 22 goals and 12 assists across all competitions.Those performances have now earned him a high-profile move to Liverpool, in a deal reportedly worth up to €90m including bonuses. Cissé, who won the Champions League with the Reds in 2005, believes the forward’s resurgence has come at the right time.“He’s got his confidence back. He’s playing with joy, with risk – that’s the Ekitike people wanted to see.”GFFN | George Boxall