News'A pleasure' - Hugo Ekitike excited by Alexander Isak's arrival at Liverpool
Hugo Ekitike has admired Alexander Isak from afar and is excited to now be able to call Liverpool’s new No.9 a teammate.
Isak completed a transfer to the Reds from Newcastle United on deadline day and therefore joins fellow summer arrival Ekitike among Arne Slot’s attacking ranks.
Ekitike has enjoyed an impressive start to his Anfield career, scoring three goals in four appearances prior to the ongoing international break, during which he has made his senior debut for France.
When asked about Isak’s arrival, the 23-year-old said: “It’s fun. When you play for the best teams, you expect to be competing with the best players. Isak is a player I’ve watched too, so seeing him arrive is a pleasure.
“It’s going to be tough competition, but I’m going to focus on performing well so that it’s a problem for the manager.”
On life as a Liverpool player following his move from Eintracht Frankfurt, Ekitike continued: “Obviously my life has changed. It’s a big move and I’m watched a thousand times more but I’m taking it positively, it’s really good. It’s the position I wanted to be in.
“When you have this kind of standard, you have to show that you belong here and you have to continue to perform. But it’s a position that I like and that I want to keep.”
Ekitike came off the bench for Les Bleus in their 2-0 win over Ukraine last week and knows he also faces stiff competition for a place with his country as well as club.
He added: “It’s a real pleasure to be a part of this group of French attackers, knowing their quality. I’m taking it as a learning experience because they are players who have more experience than me in the national team.
“We don’t have much time to connect but it’s a real pleasure to be with them. We have to rise to their level.”
