News'A game you love to play' - Hugo Ekitike's excitement for Man City clash
“A game you love to play,” says Hugo Ekitike as he eagerly awaits his first experience of Premier League showdowns between Liverpool and Manchester City.
The Reds, reigning champions, travel to Etihad Stadium on Sunday for their latest clash with Pep Guardiola’s side.
Arne Slot’s men won both meetings 2-0 last season en route to claiming the title from City, who had been crowned winners in each of the previous four campaigns.
Summer signing Ekitike is set for a maiden involvement in a fixture that has pushed both clubs to their maximum level over recent years.
“It’s the game you love to play,” the France international told Sky Sports. “All the big players on the pitch, a big stadium, a great game of the Premier League.
“It’s the kind of game I love to play, l love to prepare. I set my mind to be ready for that day.”
Liverpool head to Manchester buoyed by a positive pair of performances and results at Anfield, beating Aston Villa 2-0 last Saturday and downing Real Madrid 1-0 on Tuesday.
Those wins came in response to a disappointing run of six defeats in seven outings in all competitions.
“It’s not perfect now, but at least when we go in the game, I can feel that the boys give 100 - even more than 100 - per cent of themselves, just in terms of energy and the pressure we put on the opponents,” said Ekitike.
“We are a different team to face. So we just have to keep going on that way.”
The No.22 - top scorer for the Reds this term on six goals - formed a front three alongside Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz against Real in the Champions League.
Fellow new arrival Alexander Isak returned to training in the lead-up to the clash versus City, with Slot’s attacking options also including Federico Chiesa, Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha to choose from.
“I don’t think [competition] is the right word,” said Ekitike. “We play for the same team. Obviously there’s only a few places on the pitch but we play for the same team, so we grow together, share the pitch and we just push each other to get better. That’s how I see competition.
“It takes time to see the quality. For the new players, we come from different clubs, we have to find links, play together. It takes time to have the perfect team in terms of playing and collective.
“It can work, definitely. We need to train together, play together and it will get better.
“Sometimes it works like you have this connection with people and it’s more easy, but sometimes it’s spending time on the pitch, getting to know the other guy, what he likes, how he likes to run in the channel, how he likes the ball, in behind [or to] come and play link-up.”