Hugo Ekitike outlines clear Champions League ambition as Liverpool focus shifts

The Liverpool star has big hopes at both club and international level in 2026 and feels, given the quality Ekitike plays with on a weekly basis, he feels silverware is a real possibility

Hugo Ekitike thinks Liverpool has a realistic chance of winning the World Cup(Image: JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP via Getty Images)

Hugo Ekitike has claimed that his summer move to Liverpool has changed his dream of one day winning the Champions League into a realistic goal.

The Frenchman has experience playing in the competition from his time with Paris Saint-Germain, but had not started a Champions League match before joining the Reds in the summer.

This season, Ekitike has featured in all six European matches for Liverpool and scored in the victory against his former side Eintracht Frankfurt in October. Despite the Reds’ indifferent form this season, the 23-year-old feels the six-time champions of Europe can still win the biggest prize available in club soccer.

“I love the Champions League,” Ekitike told Sky Sports in a recent interview. “I love the Premier League as well, but the Champions League is like the appointment of big people and I love it.

“As a kid, I would love to play that competition and now, being here, I was just want to do more and just play good in this competition.

“When I hear that song, it’s just the best feeling ever. But we have so many things [going] forward, so many games and so many competitions. That’s on us and we have the quality to do something.

Ekitike scoring against Frankfurt in October(Image: )

Pushed on whether it would be top of his dreams to win the Champions League, Ekitike replied: “I think when you play in this sort of club, it’s not a dream, it’s a goal.

“I speak for myself, but personally, I am doing everything inside and outside of the pitch to be on the level people expect me to be in.

“I’m so excited to see what is coming forward and just go through each competition and I hope we are going to do something. We have the quality.”

Ekitike is playing an increasingly prominent role for France(Image: Getty Images)

Another new opportunity for Ekitike in 2026 is to win the World Cup with France. The French international played in France’s last six qualification matches and is in with a great chance of being part of Didier Deschamps’ squad this summer.

“I played a bit during the qualification. Obviously, I would not hide and say it is not a dream,” said Liverpool’s no.22.

“It is a dream to play at the World Cup for your country. It’s so big and that’s where people remember you forever. You are remembered if you do great things.

“Obviously, it comes by being good in the club first. Hopefully, I can be there and help the team and we can achieve something.”