Hugo Ekitike names £34m Liverpool star as his current favourite player to watch

Hugo Ekitike has arrived at Liverpool with confidence and clarity, and he isn’t shy about showing it. Hugo Ekitike doesn’t mince words, and in a recent interview with Stan Sport, the Liverpool forward proved exactly why.Known for being direct whenever a microphone is placed in front of him, the Liverpool striker delivered some refreshingly honest answers when asked about the players he enjoys watching.When questioned about his favourite current player, Ekitike’s answer was clear and unapologetic:“My favourite current player to watch is Mohamed Salah, but I watch him every day.”Salah, already off to a flying start this season with three goals and three assists, continues to be a central figure in Arne Slot’s Liverpool side. The Egyptian has consistently been the club’s top scorer over multiple seasons, and Ekitike will undoubtedly be looking to learn from his teammate’s experience, skill, and finishing ability.Ekitike’s arrival at Liverpool was one of the club’s most talked-about moves in the recent transfer window. The French forward joined from Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt, signing for a fee reportedly in the region of £40 million. From the moment he arrived at Anfield, expectations were high, with fans eager to see how the young striker would adapt to the Premier League.Speaking about his move, Ekitike has previously admitted that joining Liverpool was a decision made with his development in mind:“It was my choice, it’s what I wanted. I felt this was the right place at the right time for me.”The interviewer then asked if there were any players from other teams Ekitike enjoyed watching. Once again, the Frenchman was blunt:“In other clubs? No.”It’s hard to blame Ekitike for his answer. Salah’s talent and consistency set him apart, as demonstrated by his Premier League Golden Boot triumph last season. Interestingly, the runner-up that year was Alexander Isak, who now shares a dressing room with Ekitike at Anfield.Ekitike was also asked to name the toughest defender he has faced since joining Liverpool. True to form, he kept his response concise and confident:“None.”Although this might come across as a bold statement, the numbers back him up. This season, only Arsenal and Burnley have successfully prevented Ekitike from scoring when he has started matches. The forward has already found the net against Bournemouth, Newcastle United, and Everton, showing he is quickly adapting to life in the Premier League.His smooth integration into the squad is also aided by the presence of established stars like Salah and Isak, who provide both guidance and competition in training. Ekitike’s move to Liverpool represents a major step up in his career, giving him the platform to compete at the very highest level, including the Champions League.Looking ahead, Ekitike will aim to maintain his goalscoring form as Liverpool face Southampton in the third round of the Carabao cup then travel to Selhurst Park. That fixture is followed by Liverpool’s second Champions League outing of the season, before crucial clashes with Chelsea and bitter rivals Manchester United.With a teammate like Salah to watch every day and a growing confidence in the Premier League, Ekitike seems well-placed to make a significant impact at Anfield this season. His bold statements off the pitch suggest he has the mentality to back up his talent on it.