Liverpool analysis: How Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike are becoming Liverpool’s star men
Sports News Blitz writer Ruben Picardo Ashworth takes a look at how Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike are leading the way in Liverpool’s revival hopes to finish the 2025/26 campaign strongly.
After a slower-than-anticipated start to his new life in Liverpool, Wirtz continued to show his doubters his ability to fit into Premier League football.
The German midfielder was influential in Liverpool’s 4-1 win against Newcastle, getting a goal and an assist.
Wirtz had to wait 190 days for his first goal in a Liverpool shirt, but a month on from that Christmas blessing, he has scored five more times.
From 23 games without a goal, to getting onto the scoresheet six times and picking up three assists in his last 11 appearances, the 22-year-old is now enjoying life a little more in Merseyside.
No more than a few months ago, his ability to adapt to a more physical league was questioned, and uncertainty was growing.
He struggled to find consistency and was often overshadowed by opposition midfielders.
A Bundesliga prodigy and an unbeaten champion, a resume set for immediate impact, didn’t quite happen.
However, Wirtz is now flourishing in his newfound form, and Anfield have a star - if not already - in the making.
Wirtz is technically gifted and possesses fantastic playmaking ability.
The tidy German international is starting to silence the critics who questioned the £116 million investment.
Ekitike continues to fly in red
With Wirtz starting to blossom, Ekitike is taking things to the next level.
The Frenchman scored twice in two minutes against the Magpies, proving once again his world-class goalscoring ability.
With 15 goals, almost twice as many as anyone else at Liverpool, Ekitike is reshaping the frontline.
No striker for Liverpool has finished as their leading scorer since Daniel Sturridge, a decade ago. And Luis Suarez in 2013/14 is the last Red to do it with 20 or more goals.
Such statistics highlight the impact Mohamed Salah has had.
Jurgen Klopp used his wingers as scorers and had Roberto Firmino as the selfless false nine.
But as that era came to an end, Arne Slot wants his strikers to score, and Ekitike can certainly do that.
Speaking at halftime on TNT Sports, Steven Gerrard said, “It is all about Hugo Ekitike running the channel,
"It is Torres-like. He gets it out of his feet and that toe-poke. He reminds me of Torres every time I watch him."
READ MORE: Premier League news: Aston Villa’s title charge stumbles at Villa Park as Brentford grab narrow win
Ekitike no longer considered second fiddle
After Alexander Isak came in when Liverpool broke their transfer record fee, Ekitike looked to be the second choice.
However, due to Isak being sidelined through injury and fitness issues, Ekitike has been nothing short of a revelation.
Only Erling Haaland has been involved in more goals (31) for a Premier League side.
His brace, one of which was assisted by Wirtz, has taken the duo to six combined goals in all competitions - no Premier League duo can match that.
A double act built for years to come, and the baton is being passed to the youth thriving at Anfield.
Together, Wirtz and Ekitike are not just driving Liverpool forward. They’re strengthening Slot’s grip on the project.
Slot here to stay
Liverpool have been poor champions, and fans have questioned if Slot is the right man to lead their club, fuelled by the departure of Xabi Alonso from Real Madrid.
But Liverpool aren’t like Manchester United or Chelsea. They keep faith in their head coach more often than not.
And, unlike Ruben Amorim and Enzo Maresca, Slot is a Premier League winner.
Winning the league gives him time and patience in a season of difficulty.
The Champions League has brought joy to Liverpool, as they finished third and bypassed February’s play-off round, offering them a chance to still end the season well.
There is clear backing from the Anfield hierarchy, as the club have spent over £400 million, while Slot has been in charge, and there will be faith internally that things will turn around.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: From Leicester’s miracle to modern reality: What’s changed in the Premier League since 2016
Rennes defender Jacquet set to join Liverpool
Jeremy Jacquet, a highly rated Rennes centre back, is set to be Liverpool’s latest addition.
The 20-year-old will cost the Reds an initial £55 million plus £5 million in add-ons, with the intention of loaning him back out to Ligue 1 until the end of the season.
The data-led model is clear, buy for the long term and build for the future.
In the summer of major spending, Liverpool only signed one player over 24, and that was Isak.
The project at Anfield is clear: trust the process, back the manager, and build a young, sustainable squad.
Ultimately, Slot is here to stay, and Liverpool are backing him to deliver long-term success.
With Wirtz and Ekitike strengthening the identity of Slot’s rebuild and now nailed-on starters, Liverpool have a new attacking spine to build around.
The question now is, when Isak is back to full fitness, how do you fit them all into the same starting XI without disrupting the balance of the side?
READ NEXT: Australian Open news: Carlos Alcaraz secures career Grand Slam with victory over Novak Djokovic
