Jamie Carragher Predicted £70m Liverpool Transfer Months Ago
Liverpool's summer transfer window has been anything but quiet, with Arne Slot's side looking to reinforce an attack that has at times leaned too heavily on Mohamed Salah's goals. Fresh from winning the Premier League in his debut season, Slot knows strengthening the forward line is crucial if Liverpool are to maintain their dominance, and Hugo Ekitike has emerged as the name on everyone's lips.
Ekitike Edges Towards Anfield Move
After Liverpool's approach for Alexander Isak was turned down by Newcastle United, attention turned firmly towards Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike. Talks between the clubs accelerated this past week, though reports on Saturday suggest an agreement is not yet finalised. Even so, the momentum points towards Ekitike soon wearing Liverpool red.
At just 22, Ekitike has already packed plenty into his young career. After a sparkling breakthrough in Ligue 1, he earned a move to PSG that perhaps came too soon. But a switch to Frankfurt has seen him rediscover form and confidence, making him exactly the type of profile Liverpool's recruitment team target: young, hungry and with significant upside.
Photo: IMAGO
Carragher's Sharp Prediction
Jamie Carragher, as ever, was ahead of the curve. Back in April, speaking on the 'It's Called Soccer!' podcast, the former Liverpool defender offered his thoughts on Ekitike.
'There's the lad at Eintracht Frankfurt who scored against Tottenham in the week, and I'm not going to try and pronounce his name!' Carragher laughed.
'Ekitike, that smacks to me as the type of player Liverpool would sign. I think he's 22, he's at a club who you'd think would probably be a selling club, he's done really well there.'
Carragher added, 'He went to PSG as a very young boy after sort of lighting up the French league as a young kid, and it didn't quite work out for him. But he's still really young, he's got great numbers this season and it almost looks to me as the type of player Liverpool would sign rather than maybe going for an Isak.'
Changing Transfer Models
Interestingly, Carragher's assessment of Liverpool's strategy may need revisiting. While he was right to highlight Ekitike's profile, he was less accurate when it came to Isak.
'Every club would love Isak,' Carragher said. 'Do I think Liverpool could buy Isak? I don't know. I'm not sure Liverpool would want to pay that type of money for one player, I don't think it's really in the model. I think Liverpool's model is 'we'll get the next Isak'. They're probably kicking themselves saying 'why didn't we get Isak from Real Sociedad?' So, I don't think they'll go and absolutely break the bank for him.'
Yet this summer, Liverpool have already committed a significant sum for Florian Wirtz, indicating a willingness to spend big where necessary. Ekitike may be next, but Liverpool's ambitions clearly stretch beyond just finding the 'next big thing' on a budget.
Liverpool's New Era Under Slot
Arne Slot's first year could hardly have gone better, but sustaining success requires constant renewal. Ekitike's arrival would signal a fresh phase, blending established stars like Salah and Wirtz with rising talents. For Liverpool supporters, it is an exciting moment, one where smart recruitment and bold ambition intertwine. As Jamie Carragher foresaw months ago, Ekitike could soon be walking out at Anfield, ready to write the next chapter in Liverpool's rich attacking tradition.
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