Hugo Ekitike: Liverpool legend makes worrying Premier League prediction

Seye Omidiora 23:15 - 16 August 2025

Hugo Ekitike has made a red-hot start to his Liverpool career | IMAGO - Photo: IMAGO

Despite Hugo Ekitike’s promising Premier League debut for Liverpool, Steve Nicol has different expectations for Arne Slot’s team.

Steve Nicol has commented on Liverpool’s 4-2 Premier League victory over Bournemouth on Friday night at Anfield.

On an emotional night that included tributes to the late Diogo Jota and a reported incident of racial abuse against Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo, the home side needed two late goals to secure the win.

Liverpool's new signing, Hugo Ekitike, opened the scoring in the first half and then provided an assist for Cody Gakpo's goal after the break, giving the Reds a comfortable two-goal lead.

However, Semenyo led a fierce comeback, scoring a brace to level the match.

With the game poised for a draw, substitute Federico Chiesa scored in the 88th minute to restore Liverpool's lead, and Mohamed Salah sealed the victory with a stoppage-time goal.

Hugo Ekikike’s performance earns praise

Making his Premier League debut, Ekitike put in an impressive performance, registering a goal and an assist.

He scored the first goal of the match in the 37th minute, showing clever movement and a composed finish.

The Frenchman then turned provider shortly after halftime, setting up Cody Gakpo for Liverpool's second goal.

Nicol praised the Frenchman’s strong start, even going as far as suggesting that “he carried the Liverpool attack” for large periods of the opening half.

However, the former Reds full-back was displeased with the home side's defending, suggesting that it could diminish their Premier League prospects.

“It's hard to know which way to go,” Nicol said on ESPN. “You should be talking about the positives. But if you're Liverpool, the biggest thing that may hold them back this season is that, defensively, they do look vulnerable.

“They looked ragged at times.”

How have Liverpool’s challengers fared?

Manchester City, expected Premier League contenders, got off to a far more impressive start on Saturday, beating Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-0.

Golden Boot favourite Erling Haaland scored two, while there were top-flight debut goals for Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki, sealing a comfortable victory for Pep Guardiola’s men.