Tactical options grow as Liverpool prepare to finalise forward deal

Ekitike’s Arrival Adds Power, Purpose and Positional Flexibility to Liverpool

French forward adds cutting edge to attacking unit

Liverpool do not wait around. When they identify a need, they act. The club is now on the verge of announcing Hugo Ekitike as their latest summer signing, with the Frenchman undergoing a medical in London ahead of a £79 million move from Eintracht Frankfurt. It is the fifth addition of a frantic and focused transfer window as Arne Slot puts his stamp on a side that won the Premier League last season with a swagger and bite that harked back to their title-winning campaign under Jurgen Klopp.

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Ekitike joins Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Giorgi Mamardashvili as part of the new-look squad. The 23-year-old arrives at Anfield with 22 goals and 12 assists in all competitions from last season under his belt. Not just numbers, but performances that highlight a player who marries sharp movement with intelligent pressing and a willingness to adapt. Those attributes are music to Slot’s ears.

Leading the line in a fluid, forward-thinking system

Liverpool’s title win owed much to Mohamed Salah’s brilliance, his 29 league goals driving the campaign. But Liverpool were top scorers on the counter too, netting 14 goals from fast transitions, often without a fixed No.9.

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Slot knows he cannot depend solely on Salah again. Ekitike offers the structure and threat of a traditional centre-forward, with the added benefit of mobility.

He is fast, tall and technical, with a willingness to press and link play. His return of 15 goals from an xG of 21.6 suggests rawness in his finishing, but there’s also a maturity in his movement. Slot will back himself to refine the details. He has done it before, and with Ekitike’s ceiling so high, there is good reason to expect rapid improvement.

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Flexible options offer tactical balance

Ekitike will not be pigeonholed. His game is built on movement, awareness and the ability to operate within different systems. In a two-man attack, he can drift deeper to link with midfield or stretch defences to allow Wirtz or Gakpo to exploit the space. That variety is invaluable in the modern game, where opponents sit deep and try to frustrate.

As teams begin to adapt to Slot’s approach, Liverpool will need players who can find solutions in small spaces and react quickly to different setups. Ekitike’s positional options make him an asset. He is not just the tip of the spear, but a player who can shape the entire attacking sequence.

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Left-sided role provides depth and cover

While centre-forward is his main position, Ekitike’s occasional use off the left could give Liverpool a useful option when rotating. His pace and physicality make him awkward to defend against in one-on-one situations, and his ability to play wider and combine in channels opens up more tactical options for Slot, particularly during congested fixture periods.

Liverpool are aiming for a full-throttle season across four competitions. Squad depth and tactical flexibility will be essential. Ekitike, despite being just 23, already offers both.