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Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike netted his first competitive goal for his new side against Bournemouth on Friday, opening the scoring in the 4-2 victory that began the Premier League season.
Ekitike, the former Reims and PSG man, signed for Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt for a fee that could reach around $106 million (£79 million). A few days before his goal at Anfield, a calmly taken finish when the ball broke for him inside the penalty area, Ekitike had also found the back of the net at Wembley in the Community Shield against Crystal Palace.
So far, the early signs are that Ekitike will fit in perfectly at Liverpool, though the Reds are still keen to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle United. The 23-year-old Frenchman looks to be a big upgrade on Darwin Nunez.
"Growing up, there were two players: Neymar and Karim Benzema," Ekitike said on Sky Sports on Friday. "I love Benzema, what he did for football is my role model."
His hold-up play has certainly been impressive up to now in a Liverpool jersey. Benzema was excellent at bringing others into play at Real Madrid, in addition to scoring plenty of goals.
"I think it was a good performance. I could do better," Ekitike added. "But the most important thing tonight is the win and the mentality we showed.
"We wanted to win for the people who came tonight and for Diogo Jota. That's what we did, so I'm happy for everybody.
"I have so many things to do better. I helped the team as much as I could, I can do a lot of things. I think I will get better and do even more for this team."
Explaining the difference between the role he played for Frankfurt and how Arne Slot wants to use him at Liverpool, he added: "I changed my way of playing here.
"It's different football with more intensity. The defenders are stronger and there are tight spaces here. I had so much more space in Germany.
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"That's why I try to come, link and go and run behind. We have to find the way to succeed with the details. It's not good anymore. We just have to get better."
Ekitike also had interest from the likes of Newcastle United and Chelsea this summer, but he only had eyes for Liverpool. Next up, the Reds travel to the North East to face Newcastle at St James' Park.
Liverpool.com says: Ekitike has been hugely impressive so far. He seems really intelligent and calm, and it is a positive sign that he has begun to score goals already. That, ultimately, is what he will be judged on as a number nine.
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