Liverpool's summer signings Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz have experienced starkly contrasting fortunes in their debut seasons at Anfield, with one now sidelined by injury and the other backed to overcome a slow start.
Ekitike's Physical Burden Proves Too Much
French striker Hugo Ekitike, a £79million arrival last summer, has emerged as one of the Premier League's standout signings. However, the 23-year-old has now revealed the significant physical strain he has been under, culminating in a hamstring injury that ruled him out of Liverpool's clash with Fulham on Sunday, 4th January 2026.
Ekitike admitted his role became increasingly demanding after fellow forward Alexander Isak suffered a broken leg last month. "Obviously that kind of thing happened, and I was very sorry for him," Ekitike told the club's official website. "It's difficult. But for me, I try to do my job. The coach puts me on the pitch, and I'll show him and show the fans that I can help the team."
With 11 goals to his name, Ekitike had started six consecutive games before the Fulham match. Manager Arne Slot confirmed the workload had taken its toll, stating: "Alexander Isak has been out for a few weeks now, that has meant that Hugo had to play more minutes than he did throughout the whole season. That has led to the fact that he picked up a slight hamstring injury."
Slot added that for a young player adapting to English football, the schedule was "a bit too much," casting doubt on his availability for the upcoming Arsenal fixture.
Frimpong Backs Wirtz to Silence Critics
While Ekitike has shone, fellow high-profile signing Florian Wirtz has endured a more challenging introduction to life on Merseyside. The German playmaker, who joined from Bayer Leverkusen for a fee that could rise to £116million, only scored his first goal for the club in December.
Despite the slow start, his teammate and former Leverkusen colleague Jeremie Frimpong has no doubts about Wirtz's quality or mentality. "He is top," Frimpong declared. "I know how good of a player Flo is. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have won the treble with Leverkusen. So we know how good he is and to see him doing it now… this is just the start. There's plenty to come."
Frimpong emphasised that the monumental price tag does not weigh on the 22-year-old's mind. "Flo is the type of player that doesn't care about these things, the price tag," he said. "He's just happy to play football. For me personally, I think Flo takes pressure really well. He's just a guy that just loves the ball on his feet."
Contrasting Paths at Anfield
The differing narratives of Liverpool's two major investments highlight the unpredictable nature of football transfers. Ekitike's immediate impact has been tempered by physical burnout, underscoring the relentless demands of the Premier League calendar.
Conversely, Wirtz's initial struggle to replicate his Bundesliga form serves as a reminder that adaptation periods are often necessary, even for the most talented players. Frimpong's insider perspective suggests the German's talent and attitude will ultimately see him justify the club's significant financial outlay.
As Liverpool navigate a crucial part of the season, managing Ekitike's return to fitness and integrating Wirtz more effectively will be key priorities for Arne Slot and his coaching staff.
