Arne Slott’s Anfield squad is filled with a variety of top-class talent, but Liverpool are still struggling to get into gear this season.
The truth is, this was always going to be a testing year for the Reds after the events of the summer, and the team needed some breathing room.
But football will go on and Liverpool, who have lost five of their last six Premier League games, know they cannot afford to let the Premier League’s dire situation continue.
Either way, Liverpool could be optimistic about the future. Players like Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak may still be finding their groove after their record-breaking summer transfers, but they are two of England’s most talented players and their success at the club is a matter of when, if not.
But there has been no such misfortune for Hugo Ekitike, who has continued to improve since completing his £69m move from Eintracht Frankfurt in July.
The numbers that support Hugo Ekitike’s start at Liverpool
However, a deeper look at the Merseysiders’ squad reveals that Liverpool are developing a group of young players with huge potential and, despite the difficulties this year, there is a player capable of eventually surpassing Ekitike in ninth place.
Some thought it was unnecessary for Liverpool to snatch the French forward from Newcastle United, who were in the hunt for Isaac this summer, but Ekitike responded decisively on the pitch.
Highly mobile and creative, Ekitike offers much more than just a goal. FBref’s stats underline his protean qualities, with him ranking in the top 8% of Premier League strikers this season for shot-creating actions and in the top 2% for successful take-offs per 90.
A successful take-on is recorded when a player, while still in possession of the ball, directly carries the ball and defeats his opponent.
Across all competitions, he has scored more goals than any other Redman this season and has joined a loose tactical machine from overseas.
Liverpool’s front line in 2025/26 | ||
|---|---|---|
player | app | Goal + Assist |
Hugo Ekitike | 16 | 6+1 |
mohamed salah | 15 | 5+3 |
Cody Agate | 16 | 4+3 |
federico chiesa | 12 | 2+3 |
alexander isak | 8 | 1+1 |
Florian Wirtz | 16 | 0+3 |
Ngumoha River | 6 | 1 + 0 |
Dates via Transfermarkt | ||
The 23-year-old’s ability to switch up and change his attacking outlook is one of his greatest strengths. He is tactically adaptable and this will serve him well for years to come.
He has certainly been a key part of the attacking force this season and looks set to have a happy future on Merseyside. That said, he will continue to tussle with Isak for minutes and the Swedish striker is bound to make world-class progress at some point.
Furthermore, Liverpool are developing star players in their academy who have the potential to go all the way.
Liverpool teenager who could surpass Ekitike
When ‘Klopp’s kids’ guided Liverpool’s iconic manager to a silver medal in his final season, fans thought the club had unearthed a treasure trove of promising talent.
Most of these stars have since left, but Liverpool’s academy system continues to evolve, with some stars showing they have real potential.
Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngmoja are the big names, but Keylor Figueroa is certainly on his way to making a name for himself. The 19-year-old striker has scored seven goals in nine league games for Rob Page’s development squad this season and is now the club’s top scorer at all levels, ahead of Ekitike.
In October, Slott named Figueroa among his substitutes for the Carabao Cup at Anfield. Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat at Crystal Palace proved just how highly regarded the teenager, the son of former Premier League star Maynor Figueroa, was.
A powerful runner, strong in duels and tenacious in every phase of his play, Figueroa is on his way to the majors. It’s unlikely he’ll get a chance on a Reds team loaded with offensive talent, but Slott is clearly a fan.
It’s perhaps worth noting that Liverpool’s Under-21s haven’t been at their best this year. After nine games, Page’s team is in 21st place out of a 29-team league.
Although he has only won three games, Figueroa has scored in each of those games. This season, he has only started 5 out of 9 games. It’s easy to see why Page said he could be a “deadly, ruthless No. 9.”
It’s a remarkable clinical performance for a prospect, and if he can prove that he’s unleashed sustainable attacking quality, there’s a good chance he’ll be knocking on the slot door sooner than many expected, frankly.
There has been a clear focus at Liverpool in recent years on carving out a clear path from the academy to the first team.
Figueroa deserves a shot, especially since every shot he’s taking right now is aimed at the back of the goal. Of course, we’ve already seen the benefits of giving hungry youngsters a chance this season (looking at you, Ngmoha).
Given that Liverpool have struggled at the highest level in recent months, it might not be a bad thing for Figueroa to be out for the next few months if he continues to produce such clinical results.
He may not be at Ekitike’s level at the moment, but his physicality and natural goal-mindedness suggest he could become a real star on Merseyside, and maybe even surpass the Frenchman in the future.
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