Hugo Ekitike On Football, Failure And Finding His Feet At Liverpool

From Near-Release At 14 To Scoring Goals At Anfield — Liverpool’s New Star Is Just Getting Started

When Hugo Ekitike arrived at Liverpool for £69 million this summer, eyebrows were raised — not at the price tag, but at the question: Could he handle the pressure?

Now, just 10 games into his Premier League career and with five goals to his name, the 23-year-old is answering that question emphatically. But behind the goals and the spotlight is a humble, thoughtful player who nearly walked away from football at 14 — and who now dreams of lifting the Premier League trophy at Anfield.

In The Football Interview, Ekitike sat down with Kelly Somers for a rare, open conversation about childhood, challenges, creativity, and the journey that brought him from the streets of Reims to one of football’s biggest stages.

“I Was Shy. Very Shy.”

It might be hard to believe for someone who leads Liverpool’s front line, but Ekitike says he wasn’t always confident.

“I was shy. Very shy. But nice — same as now. And passionate about football,” he says.

That passion was born early — playing with his brothers and cousins on the streets, at school, anywhere he could.

“They weren’t very good,” he laughs. “But we all loved the game. They didn’t make it, but they live the dream through me now.”

His first team? A local club called Cormontreuil. No warmups. No drills. Just kick-off and go.

“It wasn’t serious. It was just fun. I started when I was four and a half. Those were good times.”

The Moment It Almost Ended

At 14, while at the Reims academy, Ekitike hit a wall.

“I was bad. I was dreaming too much on the pitch. A sleeping player,” he admits.

He was told he might be released. That moment was a wake-up call.

“That was the first big turning point. I knew I wanted to be the best. I came back different.”

There were more challenges to come. A loan spell in Denmark saw him benched most games.

“That pushed me too. I came back to Reims, proved myself, and didn’t look back.”

The PSG Reality Check

A move to Paris Saint-Germain should’ve been a dream. Instead, it became a lesson.

“It was my first experience of failure,” Ekitike reflects. “But it made me stronger — as a player and as a person.”

His revival came in Germany. At Eintracht Frankfurt, he scored 15 goals and added eight assists in one season — putting him firmly back on the radar of Europe’s top clubs.

Life At Liverpool: “I Want To Win It All”

Now at Liverpool, Ekitike’s blend of pace, intelligence, and composure has fans buzzing.

“To come here, knowing where I come from — I’m proud,” he says. “But I know football is about moments. You can be at the top, and fall quickly. I want to be ready, always.”

He’s also enjoying life alongside Mohamed Salah — and learning fast.

“Mo is really cool. Way more open than I expected. I used to watch him on TV — now I’m playing next to him. I hope we score many goals together.”

Ekitike’s goal? Simple, but massive.

“To win the Premier League with Liverpool. That would be class.”

Off The Pitch: Private, Peaceful… And Artistic?

For someone under the spotlight, Ekitike values his privacy.

“I like being famous… but unknown,” he laughs. “I don’t want people knowing what I do at home.”

When he’s not training or playing, you’ll find him doing the opposite of high-intensity football:

Drawing (“I can draw anything — people, life, it’s always been easy for me.”)
Watching movies (Whiplash and The Wolf of Wall Street are favourites)
Playing PlayStation
Recovering in the pool or jacuzzi
Or just spending time with family in Paris

“If I get two days off, I go home. That’s where I reset.”

What Comes Next?

He’s already made an impact, but Ekitike is only just getting started. His dream of lifting the Premier League title with Liverpool isn’t far-fetched — especially if he continues on his current trajectory.

“I’ve had success, and I’ve had failures. But I’m always learning. I just want to help the team, score goals, and win.”

With the goals flowing and the mindset locked in, Hugo Ekitike may just be the next breakout star in the Premier League.

Follow Sports Market International for more exclusive football stories, player interviews, and behind-the-scenes access to the world’s most exciting sport. This is more than a game — it’s a journey. And we bring you the people living it.

Abdul Noah Ocholi