It would probably be fair to say that Liverpool is the team to beat in the Premier League this season. The nine points claim available, and last year’s champions haven’t played very well so far, but they’re at the top of the mountain as the international break in September appears on center stage.
Arne Slot did an incredible job at Merseyside, growing the late seeds of Jurgen Klopp at Anfield Dugout, winning the league title in his first year. Liverpool were not given a shot of the title by most experts, but they lifted the trophies they did.
And he did it without real first team investment. Liverpool missed, for example, Martin Zubimendi, but the slot made Ryan Gravenburch one of the world-class sixes.
But this summer weaved another story, but we know that Liverpool’s ambitions don’t know the scope. The Double Reds broke British transfer records through a deal between Florian Whartz and Alexander Isaac.
However, Hugo Ekitike’s signature was also completed, and although he was quite expensive, the young forward has what he needs to become a superstar at the club.
Increased value of Hugo Ekitike
Without a doubt, Ekitike has been considered his early top talent as a professional. Developed during his formative years with French club Rymes, the 23-year-old won a major move for Paris Saint-Germain in 2023, signing the League One Giants with a package totaling 35 million euros (approximately £30 million).
Newcastle fought a transfer war with Liverpool this summer, but in recent months he agreed to a deal to sign him, who returned before PSG arrived.
Ekitice’s efforts as a Parisian youth proved unyielding, and after featuring only 33 times he headed to Anthrachat Frankfurt for four goals. After the initial loan period highlighted that blot in the copybook, the £14 million switch to the Bundesliga proved to be instrumental for growth in hindsight.
Frankfurt promised him a platform to cultivate his immense abilities, where he grew into the player he is today, and the exciting player for the Reds remains an unfinished product.
Ekitique’s three goals and assist Liverpool from his first four outings will gain his potential and add a layer of tension to Isaac, who knows that his place is unsafe at number nine.
Already, France International looks like it’s worth the money. FSG has fought to beat the competition with Newcastle.
He is a real deal, proof that Liverpool is willing to pay big money for promising talent if they consider them to stand under a high ceiling.
The same can be said about Anthony Gordon, who was targeted by a bumper movement last summer. However, if you peer into another timeline, you might find three Lions stars in Liverpool who are one clubmen.
Liverpool must regret losing Anthony Gordon
Gordon made his name at Merseyside, but he did it with blue. The 23-year-old winger scored seven goals and completed 78 appearances after graduating from Finch Farm Academy, but previously found a home in the patch after cutting his teeth at Liverpool.
Certainly, Gordon, a boyhood red, was released from the Liverpool youth system when he was 11 years old. Still, the chief of Liverpool has to kick himself as it slips through his fingers.
After Evaton’s sale to Newcastle for £45 million after he escaped from Goodison Park, Gordon was hailed as a “relentless machine” by journalist Sripad and grew into one of the Premier League’s most prominent wide forwards.
Gordon, named Newcastle’s Player of the Year on 24/2023, has recorded 21 goal contributions throughout the league campaign, demonstrating such fluidity and tenacity.
He described himself as a “nightmare for everyone” and Gordon struggled to get back to his amazing early form last year, but he still contributed to his Carabao Cup victory and brought United back to the Champions League.
Gordon – Career Statistics by Position | |||
---|---|---|---|
position | App | the goal | assist |
Left winger | 124 | 26 | 29 |
Right winger | 53 | 8 | 8 |
Attacks midfield | twenty one | 13 | 2 |
Center Forward | 18 | 5 | 1 |
Statistics through the Transfer Market |
Liverpool data analysts rarely miss the mark. So it’s clear that Gordon has something about him and is actually approaching signing the 24-year-old in 2024, just as Newcastle tried to avoid PSR punishment. They found an alternative way to avoid financial restrictions and Gordon stayed.
Still, Liverpool was eager to pay, but it seems he’s steady by his noble price tag. In fact, recent reports from the past few months suggest that FSG has considered their move this summer, with a fee of £100 million attached to interest.
Such a person will place Gordon on top of Liverpool’s new superstar Ekitique, but you may comment that “Premier League Tax” is involved in inflated Gordon’s price tag.
Ekitike has the tools to make real progress in Liverpool and will become a superstar in the coming years. Different positions, that is what the Reds had envisioned for Gordon.
The recent 17-year-old genius Lingmo eased the need for Liverpool to find a left winger to compete with Gakupo, but Gordon could have played a key role in the club’s success, but it is possible that FSG managed to take him with him last summer.
Alas, it wasn’t, and if the Reds wanted to revisit their plot under the line, they would probably have to fork into an even worse fee than they were paid to Ekitique in July.
Everything could have been very easy if Gordon had been allowed to develop within Liverpool’s academy.