Darwin Nunez’s tenure at Liverpool appears to be nearing its end, with a clear candidate lined up to take his place.
The Uruguayan striker has struggled to make a lasting impact at Anfield, failing to live up to the high expectations that accompanied his arrival. Despite the club opting to retain him during the January transfer window, Nunez has fallen out of favour under Arne Slot’s management. Reports from Anfield Watch suggest he is set to be one of several high-profile departures this summer.
With his likely exit, attention now shifts to who will step in as Liverpool’s next No. 9. Slot’s tactical philosophy prioritizes hardworking forwards who not only score goals but also contribute to the team’s overall play by creating space and facilitating attacks – a style reminiscent of Jurgen Klopp’s approach.
One player who fits that mould is Hugo Ekitike. The French forward’s performances for Eintracht Frankfurt this season have caught the eye. According to Bundesliga stats, he has covered over 209 kilometres, averaging more than 11 kilometres per 90 minutes – a testament to his relentless work ethic. His top speed of 35.53 km/h ranks him among the league’s fastest players, aligning with Slot’s demand for high-intensity pressing.
Ekitike’s attacking output further strengthens his case. He has registered 18 goals across all competitions, with the second-highest expected goals (xG) tally in the Bundesliga, just behind Harry Kane. Beyond his goal-scoring prowess, Ekitike’s versatility allows him to drift wide and create chances for teammates – an essential quality for Slot’s system.
His technical skills are also impressive, completing 2.00 successful take-ons per 90 minutes – a figure only surpassed by Luis Diaz in the current Liverpool squad. Additionally, his 3.67 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes would place him above Trent Alexander-Arnold in the Liverpool ranks.
Frankfurt is reportedly open to selling Ekitike for around €80m – a fee that could prove to be a bargain given his potential. Liverpool have tracked the striker since his breakthrough at Reims, making him a strong contender to fill the void left by Nunez’s expected departure.
