Hugo Ekitike says the upcoming showdown between Liverpool and Manchester City is “a game you love to play” as he prepares for his first experience of one of the Premier League’s biggest fixtures.
The reigning champions travel to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday for another high-stakes meeting with Pep Guardiola’s side.
Arne Slot’s men won both encounters 2-0 last season on their way to dethroning City, who had lifted the title in each of the previous four campaigns.
Hugo Ekitike, a summer arrival at Anfield, is set to feature in a fixture that has consistently brought the best out of both clubs in recent years.
The Reds head to Manchester boosted by back-to-back home victories, a 2-0 win over Aston Villa last Saturday, followed by a 1-0 triumph against Real Madrid in midweek.
Those results marked a strong response to a difficult spell that saw Liverpool lose six of their previous seven games in all competitions.
“It’s the game you love to play,” the France international told Sky Sports. “All the big players on the pitch, a big stadium, a great game of the Premier League.
“It’s the kind of game I love to play, l love to prepare. I set my mind to be ready for that day.”
“It’s not perfect now, but at least when we go in the game, I can feel that the boys give 100 – even more than 100 – per cent of themselves, just in terms of energy and the pressure we put on the opponents,” added Ekitike.
“We are a different team to face. So we just have to keep going on that way.”
Liverpool’s top scorer this season with six goals formed part of a front three alongside Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz in the Champions League win over Real Madrid.
Fellow summer signing Alexander Isak returned to training ahead of the clash with Manchester City, while Arne Slot also has Federico Chiesa, Cody Gakpo, and Rio Ngumoha among his attacking options.
“I don’t think [competition] is the right word,” said Ekitike.
“We play for the same team. Obviously there’s only a few places on the pitch but we play for the same team, so we grow together, share the pitch and we just push each other to get better. That’s how I see competition.
“It takes time to see the quality. For the new players, we come from different clubs, we have to find links, play together. It takes time to have the perfect team in terms of playing and collective.
“It can work, definitely. We need to train together, play together and it will get better.
“Sometimes it works like you have this connection with people and it’s more easy, but sometimes it’s spending time on the pitch, getting to know the other guy, what he likes, how he likes to run in the channel, how he likes the ball, in behind [or to] come and play link-up.”
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