Hugo Ekitike’s debut season at Liverpool continues to gather momentum after he scored twice in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion, taking his tally to 10 goals.
The 23-year-old has now scored seven goals in his first 10 Premier League starts for the Reds, with only Daniel Sturridge netting more at the same stage.
Back-to-back braces against Leeds United and Brighton have also lifted him up the league’s scoring charts, with only Erling Haaland and Igor Thiago ahead of him.
Despite Liverpool’s broader struggles, Ekitike’s impact has stood out.
However, the France international insists he is not satisfied and believes both he and the team can improve, hoping the Reds can turn their difficulties into momentum in the second half of the season.
“I know what people expect. I have my expectations too,” he said. “I’m just working on it to be as good as people expect me to be and I know I’m in a place I was dreaming to be.
“I’ve been to so many places and you always have something to reach. I think that’s what football is.
“I always think that football makes you tired physically but mentally, if you want to get to the top and do and achieve things, it’s always about again and again and again.
“Because if tomorrow I score a brace and I say, ‘I’m really good’, it stops. Obviously I want to be the best – that’s why I’m playing.
“But I know I have so much work, so many things to improve. But, of course, I want to be the best.
“A striker needs goals to be alive. Sometimes I don’t get an assist, I don’t get a goal but I know I make a good run for someone and he’s gonna score.
“And if I don’t do that, nothing is going to happen. If you don’t have pressure, if people don’t care, that means you’re not at the right place. I’m at the right place.”
He continued: “It’s not too easy. We need to struggle with everything we do, and maybe at the end it’s even more beautiful to win and achieve something.
“(It was) a great start, a really fast start. And then going back to reality… I tried to keep working for the team.
“Obviously I’m not happy about all the games I played, I think I could do better. In general I would say that was good, I can improve.
“I know I can bring a lot more to this team, but I’m definitely getting better and I’m sure I’m going to switch to a good season.
“I find it exciting. I’m just happy to be a part of it and obviously I want to be involved, be a big part of it and just help people and give joy.
“Because football, it’s also fun. It’s fun. People need to come and have fun, watching you and watching your team play. That’s what makes me like football.”
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