Liverpool's summer transfer window saw a significant overhaul of their attacking options, with the arrival of Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt for a reported £69 million. This move, however, has sparked debate, especially considering the club also splashed out a British transfer record of £125 million to secure Alexander Isak from Newcastle United. With Ekitike's recent form, the question arises: was signing Ekitike the right choice, and was Isak worth the premium?

Following the departures of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez, and the unfortunate loss of Diogo Jota, Liverpool needed to bolster their attack. They did so by bringing in both Ekitike and Isak, in addition to Florian Wirtz. While Wirtz was expected to be the primary creative force, Isak was brought in to be the main goalscorer. The decision to then spend a further £69 million on Ekitike raised eyebrows, especially since he had reportedly turned down offers from Manchester United and Chelsea, clubs where he would have faced less competition.

Initially, Ekitike's role seemed unclear, with many questioning whether he was aware of Liverpool's intention to sign Isak. Despite a promising start, Ekitike found himself out of the starting XI as manager Arne Slot prioritized integrating Isak into the team. This led to speculation about whether the funds spent on Ekitike could have been better utilized on a more versatile attacking option.

However, the narrative has shifted dramatically in recent weeks. While Isak has struggled to find his form at Anfield, Ekitike has flourished, becoming a fan favorite and a key player in Liverpool's attack. He has become the reliable goalscoring hero that Slot needs to lead the line, notching back-to-back braces in Premier League action this December. As of December 14, 2025, Ekitike boasts 12 goal contributions in all competitions. His ability to constantly run, cause mayhem for defenders, link up play, and take on players makes him the perfect modern-day forward.

Ekitike's success has led many to question whether the £125 million spent on Isak was a waste of money. Some reports suggest that Liverpool had been tracking Ekitike since January and that Slot had spoken to the player at the end of last season. The club believes in his versatility, as he can play as a center forward, a secondary striker, or even operate wide. Liverpool's data analysis also played a significant role in the decision to sign Ekitike. They were impressed by his numbers and believe he has the potential to become one of the best players in the world, comparing his potential at a comparable age to that of Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.

With Ekitike proving his worth and a youth prospect called Sonni-Lambie being compared to him, Liverpool's attacking future looks bright.