6 hours ago
39
Micah Richards has revealed how he spoke to Thierry Henry after Hugo Ekitike signed for Liverpool in the summer, and the Arsenal legend warned against expecting too much from the young Frenchman during his first season in England.
Although Liverpool committed over $100 million to signing Ekitike, he was an unknown quantity to many when he made the move to Anfield in the summer transfer window.
Ekitike had a good season with Frankfurt in the Bundesliga last season – scoring 22 goals in 48 games – but Henry was not sure at the time of the move to Liverpool whether his compatriot was ready to make the step up to the Premier League.
"When Liverpool got Ekitike in, I was convinced it meant that Isak was no longer happening," Richards said. "Then when it came back to the table, everyone thought Isak was the final piece as a tried and tested striker.
"I spoke to Thierry Henry, who knows him very well. He said, 'He is going to be a very good player, but we have to see if he is ready for the Premier League'. It was a little bit of a gamble.
"We knew what we were going to get from Isak. It seemed like Liverpool only went for Ekitike at the time, because they didn't think they would get Isak."
Ekitike has been by far the most impressive of Liverpool's many summer signings, and scored his ninth and 10th goals of the season in all competitions in the 2-0 win against Brighton on Saturday.
Gary Lineker, who was speaking with Richards on The Rest is Football podcast, is a big fan of the 23-year-old.
"Ekitike has got it all," Lineker said. "He can beat players, he is seriously quick, fantastic in the air. His movement is exceptional. He looks like a huge talent to me."
After netting his brace against Brighton, Ekitike said there was still room for improvement. "I wouldn't say it was perfect because I know I could score way more today," He said. "The most important was to win in front of our fans. It was a good day at work."
Ekitike added, "That was really important. We had a great game in the Champions League [against Inter Milan]. Last game in the Premier League against Leeds was difficult. We came back to Liverpool with the draw so today it was important to win and maybe restart something. I am happy today."
English (US) ·