Hugo Ekitike, the 23-year-old Liverpool striker, spoke to Canal+ after the 4-0 victory against Galatasaray on Wednesday night, which secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals (4-1 on aggregate). Having had a disappointing spell at Paris Saint-Germain (2022-2024) before reviving his career at Eintracht Frankfurt and then joining the Reds, he was asked about the upcoming matches against PSG (April 8th and 14th).
Ekitike: “It’s still a club I love.”
“It’s great to be facing them again. Honestly, it’s good. It’s going to be interesting. A good match, a good test for the team and for me. But there’s no feeling of revenge. I’m doing my job. I’m playing with my team, in a different environment. We’ve had different journeys. It’s still a club I love.
Ekitike: “We have quality. I’m confident.”
“It’s good to be facing them again at this stage of the competition. I’m only focused on Liverpool. A bit like today, we’ll have to show cohesion, be united, and work as a team against PSG. Individual talent and our tactical preparation will make the difference. We have quality. I’m confident,” as reported by L’Equipe.
Ekitike hasn’t managed to establish himself at PSG, where he hasn’t been helped by coach Christophe Galtier’s unusual management style and the lack of collective strength. But he’s not looking to prove anything or “settle scores.” This little bit of spice will only be for certain media outlets and fans.
The striker knows what’s essential: what he needs to achieve with Liverpool. An interesting team, but one that hasn’t been able to find consistency this season. They’ll need two big performances to eliminate PSG. The Reds might even see this as a possible revenge for last season’s painful elimination.
They have what it takes to reach the semi-finals, and Ekitike is right to point that out. But they’ll also have to respect a PSG side that has proven it’s formidable. These will be two big matches, and the international break starting on Monday is likely to feel very long.
