Thierry Henry has hailed Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike as the ‘most impressive’ signing of the summer.
The French striker joined from Eintracht Frankfurt in a deal that could rise to £79m, arriving in the same window the Reds smashed the British transfer record twice.
Florian Wirtz signed for £116m from Bayer Leverkusen, before Alexander Isak followed on deadline day for £125m from Newcastle.
Speaking to BetwayArsenal legend Henry insisted it is Ekitike who stands out.
‘It’s Ekitike,’ Henry said. ‘People will say it’s an obvious one, but credit is due – nobody thought he was going to arrive and perform like that.’
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Asked about competition for places and how Arne Slot should handle having two strikers competing for the same role, Henry said: ‘You call that a nice headache.
‘There is a choice now, and Ekitike made himself a choice. He arrived and erased any doubts about the time it would take him to adapt. He showed that he is at the level to play for Liverpool.’
The 23-year-old has already netted five times this season, including a winner against Everton on his Merseyside derby debut. His fast start has left Slot with a selection dilemma up front.
Isak, who scored 27 goals last season, brings proven Premier League pedigree. But he is still returning to match fitness after refusing to take part in Newcastle’s pre-season to force through a move.
Ekitike, meanwhile, blotted his copybook with a needless red card for removing his shirt in celebration after a late winner against Southampton in the Carabao Cup.
It didn’t prove too costly as Isak failed to take advantage, delivering a largely ineffective display against Crystal Palace.
Slot could yet find a way to pair his two marquee signings, though it would mean shifting one away from their preferred central role.
Either way, Henry believes Liverpool will need both firing if they are to challenge on all fronts.
‘At every club, you need to have players of the same quality at every position, because if someone falls asleep then the guy that comes in can take your place,’ he said.
‘That’s what we created at Arsenal – the quality on the bench is the same as on the field.’
Isak’s fitness record could also influence Slot’s decision. The Swede has missed 38 games through club and country since 2022.
Ekitike, however, is relishing the competition, telling reporters: ‘I can’t see one big club playing with only one striker, so I think it’s that he’s here.
‘Even for me at my age, I think I still have a lot of things to improve and learn, so for me it’s good that he’s here.’
Liverpool must now turn their attention to Europe, with a Champions League trip to Istanbul to face Galatasaray before a visit to Chelsea on Saturday.
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