Slot outlines what Ekitike needs to improve after striker makes a flying start to his career with Liverpool

ARNE SLOT believes there is much more to come from Hugo Ekitike after the striker made a flying start to his Liverpool career with three goals in as many games this month.

- By PAUL GORST

Ekitike joined from Ein-tracht Frankfurt in a £79m deal in late July and flew in to meet his new team mates during the Hong Kong leg of their preseason tour before making his unofficial debut against Yokohama F Marinos in Japan the following week.

The France Under-21 international has so registered in the Community Shield penalties defeat to Crystal Palace and the two Premier League fixtures at home to Bournemouth and away at Newcastle United on Monday night.

Despite Ekitike becoming the third most expensive signing of all time at Anfield behind the £116m and £85m fees committed for Florian Wirtz this summer and Darwin Nunez in 2022, the former Frankfurt star could face increased competition for his spot before the end of the transfer window as the Reds await encouragement from Newcastle over a potential British record deal for Alexander Isak.

Despite that prospect, Slot has been impressed by what he has seen so far from Ekitike but believes this is still plenty of room to develop and improve as a Liverpool player.

"He has made a big impact on our attacking, not just scoring goals but other situations where he was someone starting attacks or part of us starting attacks," Slot said.