Arne Slot explains what pundits and fans aren't saying about Liverpool star Hugo Ekitike
- mrwedwards
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Arne Slot said he is just as impressed with Hugo Ekitike's work rate off the ball as he is with his match-winning Liverpool contributions on it.
Ekitike's quickfire brace shortly before half-time saw Liverpool come from a goal down to lead Newcastle United at half-time at Anfield, before second half strikes from Florian Wirtz and Ibrahima Konate sealed a 4-1 success.
Ekitike took his tally to 15 goals for the season, and 10 in the Premier League, with his brace, but Slot says it isn't just his goals that he's happy with.
Slot
"Everyone should talk about his goals and his actions and how nice this is, because this is what pundits and fans like to talk about. This is much more important that work rate off the ball for them,"
“But for me as a manager I see over the last six or seven months (much) improvement, but lately a lot of improvement in terms of work rate off the ball.
“The ability to keep on going off the ball, especially with Hugo and Florian.
“Now I think everyone can see that improvement, and the better we are off the ball the more they can show how special they are, as well as all the ones that won the league here."
Slot also elaborated on how Ekitike has settled into the club behind the scenes, offering an insight into what he is like away from the cameras.
"Funny, happy, always brings a nice energy to the training ground, but also to the stadium because the fans love him as well," he said. "
From the start he is here I think everybody can see how special he is, how fast he is, that was probably seen in the second goal he scored.
"He took a one v one and went on the outside, which is very difficult in modern football, because usually players go to the inside and have a shot with the right. So you can see his pace.
"But again I would love to mention the fact that his biggest improvement is his work rate off the ball."
promoted link
Ad - 🔥 Steven Gerrard Back Signed Liverpool 2005 Football Shirt - https://amzn.to/3NQsLB2
Comments