Liverpool Targets “Next Mbappe” Ekitike as Possible Isak Alternative

As Liverpool prepares to face Everton in the Merseyside derby after a brief hiatus from action, the club is exploring transfer options to bolster its attack. With Newcastle’s Alexander Isak proving too expensive at over £150 million, the Reds have turned their attention to Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike as a more affordable alternative.

The 22-year-old French striker, dubbed “the next Kylian Mbappe”, has impressed this season with 19 goals and 8 assists in 39 appearances across all competitions. Valued at around £67 million, Ekitike presents a more attainable target for Liverpool compared to Isak.

Data analyst Ben Mattinson has praised Ekitike as “one of the best strikers out there” following his successful campaign. The young forward ranks highly among his peers in key attacking metrics like shot-creating actions, progressive carries, and successful take-ons.

However, concerns remain about Ekitike’s finishing ability. He is currently underperforming his expected goals (xG) by 5.29 in the Bundesliga – the largest such gap in the league. This echoes issues Liverpool has faced with Darwin Nunez, who has struggled with consistency in front of goal since joining the club.

As Liverpool looks to revamp its attack under new manager Arne Slot, the club must carefully weigh Ekitike’s potential against his current limitations. While his overall skillset is impressive, questions remain whether he can provide the clinical finishing the team needs to challenge for titles.

With Darwin Nunez likely to depart this summer, Liverpool’s transfer team faces crucial decisions in the coming months as they aim to build a formidable attack capable of competing at the highest level.