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Hugo Ekitike has jokingly claimed that Arne Slot’s relentless demands for perfection can sometimes annoy him, but explained the Liverpool head coach is pushing him to new heights.
The striker has made an impressive start to life at Anfield since his summer move from Eintracht Frankfurt in a deal worth up to £79million ($104M). Ekitike’s six goals from 15 appearances is the highest tally in the Reds’ squad this season, and his impressive form has seen him earn a call-up to the French national team.
With Alexander Isak fit once again, the pressure will be ramped up again after the international break, but he has grown used to the high demands that come with representing Liverpool. Slot won’t let him forget.
“As a player, sometimes you’re p-----, it's annoying,” the 23-year-old said in a recent interview with several newspapers, including Liverpool.com’s sister outlet, the Liverpool ECHO.
"I know he wants the best for me and the best for the team. I would say he's on my back, but not for a bad thing.
“He just wants to help me, so I don't take that badly. He wants me to give more and more and more.”
Pushed on what instructions Slot has been giving the ex-Paris Saint-Germain star, Ekitike said, “Obviously, keep my shirt on,” a reference to his red card against Southampton in September, when he was shown a second yellow for celebrating his winning goal by removing his jersey.
“It was more about work-rate without the ball, to be more involved and to work more for the team, which I'm trying to do. We'll get there - it's mostly about working without the ball.”
Ekitike’s immediate impact at Liverpool stands in contrast to Isak, who has managed just one goal since his record-breaking arrival from Newcastle United.
The Swede has struggled with fitness issues but is available again to face Manchester City following a three-week absence.
How he and Ekitike are both incorporated into the team has been a major talking point in recent weeks, but the latter doesn’t think that will be an issue.
“He's a good player and I'm not worried about good players because in time they improve and they learn how to find connections and links,” Liverpool’s no.22 explained.
“I'm definitely sure that not only him, but all the players who play in the offensive line, I know we can all play together.”
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