It’s a question worth asking.
Where would Liverpool actually be this season without Hugo Ekitike?
In a campaign that has at times lacked rhythm, creativity and consistent attacking fluency, Ekitike has often been the spark when things looked flat.
The Goals That Changed Games
There have been moments this season when Liverpool have struggled to break teams down.
Slow build-up.
Sideways passes.
Little penetration.
And then Ekitike provides something different.
A sharp movement.
A quick turn.
A composed finish.
Those interventions don’t just win points — they change momentum.
Without them, how many tight matches swing the other way?
Movement That Creates Space
Even when he isn’t scoring, Ekitike’s movement stretches defences.
He drifts wide.
He attacks channels.
He drops deep and links play.
That unpredictability opens spaces for others — something Liverpool have badly needed at times when the attack has looked static.
Remove that from the side, and the forward line risks becoming easier to contain.
Carrying The Burden
With other attackers enduring inconsistent spells, Ekitike has often carried the responsibility of being the decisive figure.
He hasn’t been perfect.
He’s still developing.
But in key moments, he has delivered.
And that’s the difference between competing and drifting.
A Quietly Crucial Signing
If Liverpool are still firmly in the hunt this season, Ekitike deserves enormous credit.
Take away his goals.
Take away his movement.
Take away his unpredictability.
The table might look very different.
Sometimes you don’t realise a player’s value until you imagine the team without them.
And imagining this Liverpool side without Ekitike?
That’s a worrying thought.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
The Kopite View 
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