2 days ago
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Former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse said that Hugo Ekitike would have been "crazy" to turn down the chance to join Liverpool.
The French striker is on the brink of formalizing his move to Merseyside, having traveled to London for a medical on Tuesday ahead of a planned flight to China to link up with his new teammates. Arne Slot and his players are currently in Hong Kong ahead of a friendly with AC Milan this weekend, before next week sees the team travel to Yokohama to take on Yokohama F. Marinos.
The excitement among Liverpool fans surrounding the new season is palpable following the signings of Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, and Cisse believes Ekitike will prove to be another good signing for the Reds.
"He's coming off a very good season in Frankfurt," Cisse told L'Equipe. "Before, it was a little more complicated [when he was] at PSG. He should have gone to a club somewhere between Reims and Paris (in 2023) . But I think he'll adapt to Liverpool's game."
Explaining Ekitike's play style, Cisse said the Frenchman is a bit of a "target man." Cisse said: "He's a bit like (Peter) Crouch, all things considered, he's the only one in the squad. The coach will be able to take advantage of that.
"We shouldn't perhaps expect him to be a starter all the time from the start. There's Mohamed Salah and a few great players up front.
"Ekitike will especially have to get used to the intensity and impact of England. In Germany, he perhaps had a little more time to express himself. In the Premier League, this is what will shock him the most."
Cisse, who spent two seasons at Liverpool between 2004 and 2006, was asked whether it is difficult to wear the Reds jersey. "No," he responded.
"It's a very important jersey, full of history. This jersey carries you, doesn't weigh you down. It makes you want to please this crowd. I'm very happy that Ekitike is experiencing this."
Asked whether Ekitike is making the right decision in joining Liverpool, Cisse responded: "He would have been crazy not to go, especially. After that, he'll have to perform.
"But with what he's showing, at club level and with the [France] U21s, he's not the same as he was in Paris. He's regained his confidence, the desire to play, he's trying crazy things and, above all, he's succeeding."
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