Jermain Defoe believes Hugo Ekitike can reach the ‘top level’ with Liverpool and says the forward can ‘do everything’.
Ekitike has made an instant impression since his move from Eintracht Frankfurt, scoring five times in 10 appearances for the Reds. The 22-year-old has broken into the France squad as a result, with Defoe among those impressed with his immediate impact.
He said Ekitike can compete with British record arrival Alexander Isak for main-man status at Liverpool, outlining the details in the forward’s game that have caught his attention.
“It’s going to be interesting. Obviously with signing Isak, a massive signing, and he’s going to play as the number nine. It looks like Ekitike is going to play off the left but, I just think, he’s got the shirt right now,” Defoe told the ‘Could it be magic?’ podcast.
“Not just the goals, everything around it. I think he can do everything. I did the game, first game of the season against Bournemouth at Anfield. And I just watched him. I watched his movement, the timing of his movement and how he comes off his man, the soft touches.
“The timing of his runs, the opposite movement, the finishing. The goal against Everton I thought was unbelievable. The run, the touch, the finish, it’s everything that I’d want to coach a centre-forward.
“Everything I’ve seen so far, it’s been top, top, level. And he’s 22 years old.”
