Will Hugo Ekitike Be Better Than Darwin Nunez?

Liverpool is not afraid of taking risks in the transfer market. When a club spends up to £79 million on an unproven forward, eyebrows will be raised. Hugo Ekitike is now officially a Liverpool player, arriving from Eintracht Frankfurt in a deal that could rise to nearly £80m with bonuses. It is a staggering figure, even more than the initial £64 million paid for Darwin Núñez just three years ago.

That Núñez deal, in hindsight, has become one of the most divisive in recent club memory. Though his energy was infectious and he occasionally produced moments of magic, his lack of composure in front of goal made him a constant source of frustration. Now, fans are wondering, is Ekitike another gamble with a shaky foundation or has Liverpool finally found the striker Núñez was supposed to be?

Another Gamble, But Smarter This Time?

In 2022, Núñez arrived at Anfield off the back of a red-hot season at Benfica. He had scored 34 goals in 41 appearances, including two against Liverpool in the Champions League quarterfinals. The club’s former sporting director, Julian Ward, saw potential. So did Jürgen Klopp, but potential didn’t translate into consistent output. 

Núñez’s finishing was erratic, his off-ball movement was often mistimed, and even Anfield’s patience began to wear thin. Despite being physically imposing and constantly on the move, his shot conversion rate was poor, and his decision-making often let him down.

Fast-forward to today, and Liverpool have just signed another young striker, this time from Germany with an even more modest CV. Ekitike, 23, has only had one full season of top-flight football where he was the main man, but what’s crucial here is the context. Ekitike is not being signed to score goals simply; he is being signed to link play, stretch defenses, and develop into something much bigger.

At Frankfurt, especially after Omar Marmoush’s January move to Manchester City, Ekitike began to thrive. He was responsible for leading the line, finishing the season with 15 Bundesliga goals and 12 assists. While those numbers aren’t earth-shattering, they speak to a forward who contributes in multiple ways. 

Liverpool’s recruitment team, under the direction of Manager Arne Slot, clearly values this versatility. Ekitike’s tendency to drop deep and drift wide mirrors the role once played so gracefully by Roberto Firmino, a far cry from Núñez’s more traditional, battering-ram approach.

Stats Don’t Lie, But Neither Do Instincts

There are still plenty of red flags, of course. Ekitike’s conversion rate last season hovered around 12.8%, and his total goals underperformed his expected goals (xG) by 6.6,  suggesting that he missed several quality chances. Those numbers are eerily similar to Núñez’s, whose xG woes have haunted him since arriving in England.

Yet, where Núñez often looked lost in Liverpool’s attacking structure, there is a feeling that Ekitike could adapt more naturally. At Frankfurt, his movement opened up spaces for others, and he regularly operated as a facilitator rather than just a finisher. He’s also more technically refined than Núñez was at this stage, recording more ball carries, key passes, and successful take-ons in the Bundesliga compared to what Núñez managed in Portugal.

Still, the Premier League is unforgiving. Ekitike has no experience in the Champions League. He has never been capped at senior level by France, and at 72kg, it remains to be seen whether he can handle the physical intensity of England’s top flight.

There is also the pressure of expectation. When Núñez struggled, he became a figure of mockery on social media. Although Ekitike might arrive with slightly less fanfare, the price tag alone ensures that every touch, every miss, and every goal will be dissected.

While many Liverpool fans were dreaming of Alexander Isak, a proven Premier League performer with 44 goals in his last 64 games, Newcastle wouldn’t budge. Instead, they let the Reds take a different route, one they’d been tracking quietly for over a year. Liverpool’s interest in Ekitike dates back to his breakout at Reims and continued during his troubled time at PSG, where he found opportunities blocked by Messi, Neymar, and Mbappé. His move to Frankfurt was a turning point, and now, the Premier League awaits.

Final Thoughts

It is easy to draw parallels between Ekitike and Núñez. Both came in young, relatively unproven, with raw tools and huge expectations, but what separates the two is how Liverpool now seems to be thinking about player profiles. Instead of betting solely on explosive goal output, they invest in players with more balance, intelligence, and adaptability. That doesn’t mean Ekitike is guaranteed success—far from it. His finishing must improve. He’ll need time to adjust, but unlike Núñez, Ekitike might just fit the system rather than fight it.