Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike has showcased a remarkable return to form, netting five goals in his last four appearances, a resurgence attributed significantly to head coach Arne Slot’s focus on the player’s physical conditioning. The 22-year-old France international’s improved output comes at a pivotal time for the club, navigating key absences within their attacking ranks. Slot openly admits his efforts were crucial in pushing Ekitike to reach his current, elevated performance levels.

Slot revealed that convincing Ekitike of the necessity for intense physical work was a persistent endeavor. While acknowledging the striker’s dedication, the Dutch coach noted that the player did not always embrace the rigorous program with enthusiasm. Nonetheless, Ekitike’s commitment to improving his fitness, both on and off the pitch, has evidently begun to yield substantial dividends for the Merseyside club.

Ekitike’s Liverpool career began promisingly after his move from Eintracht Frankfurt, with goals in his first three appearances. However, his initial impact was somewhat overshadowed by the British record signing of Alexander Isak for £125 million. This high-profile arrival, coupled with the team’s broader struggles, contributed to a subsequent dip in Ekitike’s form, seeing him score just three times in his next 17 matches.

The landscape at Anfield has shifted, placing greater responsibility on Ekitike’s shoulders. Alexander Isak is currently sidelined for several months due to injury, while star forward Mohamed Salah is away on international duty representing Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations. This confluence of events has elevated Ekitike’s role, making his recent purple patch indispensable for Liverpool’s attacking impetus.

Slot’s coaching philosophy extends beyond pure attacking prowess, encompassing a holistic view of a striker’s contribution. He explicitly linked defensive duties, particularly in set-piece situations, to offensive opportunities. “The better you defend a set-piece the bigger chance you have to score at the other end,” Slot explained, emphasizing that preventing goals can conserve energy and make scoring at the other end more achievable.

Despite Ekitike’s renewed form and increased importance, Slot affirmed that the striker is not the sole option in the number nine position. The coach highlighted Federico Chiesa as another player capable of operating in that central attacking role, indicating the squad’s versatility and depth as they navigate a demanding fixture schedule. This ensures competitive pressure and tactical flexibility for the team.

Liverpool enters their upcoming home fixture against bottom-placed Wolves on a significantly improved run of form, having gone six matches unbeaten, securing four wins and two draws. This positive streak marks a crucial turnaround for the club, which had previously endured a challenging period, suffering nine losses in 12 games across all competitions. The team’s recent resilience suggests a corner has been turned.

Despite the improved results, Slot offered a nuanced perspective on the team’s performance shifts. He suggested that the fundamental difference in many performances between the two runs was not as pronounced as the scorelines might imply. “The main thing that has changed is, apart from the second half against Brighton, we haven’t conceded that many chances as we did in the run we had before,” Slot noted.

The Liverpool manager also acknowledged an element of fortune in their recent victories, suggesting that while the team had often played better than opponents in earlier losing games, recent successes, such as the 2-1 win against Tottenham and the 2-0 victory over Brighton, were “more equal games.” Slot stated, “Many times we have been so unlucky with the result, almost every time, but in the last two games I wouldn’t say we didn’t deserve it but they were more equal games than many others we have played which we lost.” This candid assessment highlights the fine margins in professional football.

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Keywords: Hugo Ekitike, Arne Slot, Liverpool FC, Premier League, Football fitness, Ekitike goals, Liverpool team form, Alexander Isak injury