‘Liverpool must build their future around him’ former Premier League star Frank Lebouef believes the Reds’ future success depends on countryman’s stellar performances

Liverpool's German midfielder #07 Florian Wirtz celebrates scoring the team's second goal with Liverpool's French striker #22 Hugo Ekitike (2R) during the UEFA Champions League football match between Liverpool and Qarabag at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on January 28, 2026. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) — (Image credit: Getty Images)

It’s safe to say Liverpool aren’t having the season most football fans expected they would at the beginning of the campaign.

Liverpool were widely tipped for a second-consecutive title after spending more than £440m (an English record) on new players over the summer.

In reality, however, they’ve found themselves desperately fighting for Champions League qualification after a patchy run of form, particularly in the autumn.

‘He hadn’t experienced English football before but had no fear in showing his talents’ Frank Lebouef heaps praise on Liverpool star Hugo Ekitike

With key players starting to look their age, including last season’s hero Mo Salah, 33, many Reds fans are hoping the club can launch into a new era as of next term – and for former Premier League defender Frank Lebouef, fellow Frenchman Hugo Ekitike will be key to the next long-term project.

“Not only Hugo, of course, but he is going to be a part of that,” Lebouef, a World Cup winner with France in 1998, tells FourFourTwo on behalf of BetVictor Online Casino.

Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike — Hugo Ekitike has made a good impression during his debut campaign in English football (Image credit: Getty Images)

“I was there for his first game of the season when he scored, and I even got his shirt.”

The £69 million arrival from Eintracht Frankfurt scored on his Premier League debut, against Bournemouth, and has already hit double figures in England’s top flight this term.

“He showed everybody that you don’t always need a lot of time to adapt,” continues Lebeouef. “He hadn’t experienced English football before but had no fear in showing his talents. He’s big, he’s quick and he’s skilful.”

It’s these attributes that makes Lebouef, who played for Chelsea towards the end of his career, sure that Ekitike can lead the Anfield side into their next era.

“Yes, I think Liverpool should be building their future around Hugo,” he continues. “They spent a huge amount of money last summer and they are still in transition.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot — Arne Slot has found his second season at Anfield much tougher than his first (Image credit: Getty Images)

“It is worth pointing out that they might have an issue when Alexander Isak comes back, because he will want to play through the middle, and Cody Gakpo seems to be the first choice on the left-hand side.

“If it is still Arne Slot in charge next season, he will need to make big choices. Perhaps some of Slot’s biggest stars will need to accept that they may need to have some time on the bench as he rotates his players. But Hugo is certainly one of the main men for the future of Liverpool.”

Liverpool return to Premier League action on Saturday, as they host West Ham United.

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Ed is a staff writer at FourFourTwo, working across the magazine and website. A German speaker, he’s been working as a football reporter in Berlin since 2015, predominantly covering the Bundesliga and Germany's national team. Favourite FFT features include an exclusive interview with Jude Bellingham following the youngster’s move to Borussia Dortmund in 2020, a history of the Berlin Derby since the fall of the Wall and a celebration of Kevin Keegan’s playing career.

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