7 Ways Hugo Ekitike Can Break Liverpool's No.9 Curse Since Fernando Torres' Departure

Hugo Ekitike (L) and Fernando Torres (R). Photo || Imago

7 Ways Hugo Ekitike Can Break Liverpool's No.9 Curse Since Fernando Torres' Departure

Mark Kinyanjui 10:59 - 23.07.2025

Hugo Eketike is set to complete his move to Liverpool, but here are seven ways how he may finally be the striker that can consistently score goals from the number 9 position since Luis Suarez.


Liverpool are closing in on the signing of Hugo Ekitike, a €79 million gamble that could finally end their decade-long hunt for a reliable centre-forward.

Since the departure of Luis Suarez in 2014, Liverpool have struggled to find a No. 9 who combines consistency, explosiveness, and ruthless finishing. Could Ekitike be the one to break the curse?

Here are seven reasons why Ekitike might be Liverpool’s new goalscoring savior.

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1. He Scores Classic No. 9 Goals

7 Ways Hugo Ekitike Can Break Liverpool's No.9 Curse Since Fernando Torres' Departure
Hugo Ekitike (Credit: Instagram) Hugo Ekitike is expected to sign for Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt (Credit: Instagram)

At Eintracht Frankfurt last season, Ekitike operated primarily through the middle, scoring 15 Bundesliga goals—many of them the kind Liverpool fans haven’t seen regularly since the days of Fernando Torres. 

Sharp movement in the box, instinctive finishing, and quick one-touch shots—he’s not looking to create, he's looking to bury.

2. He's More Than Just Flair—He's Direct

Unlike some of Liverpool’s recent false nines or hybrid forwards (think Roberto Firmino or Diogo Jota), Ekitike is a throwback to the days when strikers lived for goals. He doesn’t drop deep to orchestrate; instead, he plays off the shoulder, darts between defenders, and forces keepers into awkward decisions. 

He offers something Liverpool have missed: a direct, line-breaking striker.

3. He’s Got the Pace to Stretch Any Defence

Quick and agile, Ekitike thrives in transitions—something Arne Slot could weaponize in high-tempo Premier League matches. 

His lean frame belies explosive acceleration, allowing him to chase down balls over the top or exploit defensive gaps in tight games.

4. Slot's Tactics Could Suit Him Perfectly

7 Ways Hugo Ekitike Can Break Liverpool's No.9 Curse Since Fernando Torres' Departure
Hugo Ekitike is reportedly a Liverpool traget || Imago

Arne Slot prefers "multi-functional" forwards, but he’s also pragmatic. Last season, despite rotating between Jota, Luis Diaz, and Nunez, Slot still won the Premier League. 

With Ekitike’s versatility and clear central instincts, he could become the focal point of Liverpool’s attack in a more defined way than his predecessors under Jurgen Klopp.

5. He Doesn’t Carry the Burden of the No. 9 Shirt—Yet

The legendary No. 9 shirt at Liverpool has felt like a curse since Torres. Players like Andy Carroll, Rickie Lambert, and Christian Benteke all crumbled under the weight. 

With Darwin Nunez likely on his way out, that number could open up—but starting without it might spare Ekitike the immediate pressure and allow him to settle in naturally.

6. Liverpool Need a New Focal Point

Suarez and Sturridge were electric but played best in a duo. Since then, Liverpool have often relied on wide forwards like Mohamed Salah for goals. 

With Ekitike, the Reds finally have a chance to shift the burden back to a central striker—and fans want it. The Anfield crowd is craving a No. 9 they can trust, week in and week out.

7. He’s Hungry, Untested at This Level—and That’s Dangerous

Ekitike isn’t arriving as a global superstar, which might be a blessing. He has something to prove. At 22, he’s raw but lethal, unpolished but fearless. 

He’s not afraid of expectation—he craves it. And that hunger could be the exact ingredient needed to revive a long-dormant striker legacy at Liverpool.

From Torres to Firmino to Nunez, Liverpool’s search for a consistent central scorer has spanned over a decade. Now, Hugo Ekitike has the chance to step into history—and if he does, he won’t just be the next striker at Anfield. He could be the next legend.