Speaking as a pundit on TNT Sports after the comfortable win (where Liverpool cruised through with goals from Mo Salah, Alexis Mac Allister, Florian Wirtz, and Ekitiké himself), Gerrard singled out the 23-year-old summer signing as the standout performer. He delivered the heartfelt verdict: “I love this kid [Ekitiké], I think he’s just gonna get better and better, what a signing he’s been so far.”
The comment came amid Ekitiké’s impressive showing—he played 67 minutes, notched 1 goal and 1 assist, fired off 6 shots, created 2 key passes, completed 3 successful dribbles, and posted 1.11 expected goals (xG). His intelligent movement, dropping deep to link play and set up Wirtz’s strike, drew particular acclaim from Gerrard, who highlighted the growing connection between Ekitiké and Wirtz as a major positive: “The main positive is these two… the timing of the pass and the finish, they’re growing and evolving and that connection, they’re on the same wavelength.”
This isn’t the first time Gerrard has raved about the former Eintracht Frankfurt man. In subsequent games, including the 4-1 Premier League thrashing of Newcastle United on January 31, 2026 (where Ekitiké bagged a brace), Gerrard doubled down with comparisons to his former teammate Fernando Torres, noting the “Torres-like” toe-poke finishes, pace in channels, clinical edge, and ability to exploit space behind defenses. He emphasized: “He reminds me of Torres this player, every time I watch him… If you give him space in the channel, he’ll run it, he’s too quick, you can’t catch him and he’s deadly.”
Ekitiké, a £95m summer arrival under Arne Slot, has quickly endeared himself to fans and pundits alike with his explosive movement, work rate, and goal contributions (reaching 13 goals across all competitions by late January). Despite occasionally missing big chances, his rapid adaptation and ceiling have fans dreaming big—Gerrard’s endorsement carries extra weight, given his status as one of Liverpool’s greatest-ever players and his keen eye for talent.
The praise fits a broader narrative of Ekitiké’s integration: humble responses to Torres comparisons (he watched clips on YouTube but stressed he’d “never put myself on the same level”), combined with Slot’s tactical setup unlocking his best attributes. As Liverpool push for silverware on multiple fronts—title defense, Champions League progress, and cup runs—Ekitiké’s trajectory looks set to climb higher.
Gerrard’s words sum up the excitement: a young, dynamic forward who’s not just performing now but evolving fast. When the skipper says “I love this kid… he’s just gonna get better and better,” it’s the kind of stamp of approval that gets Anfield buzzing. The future looks bright for Ekitiké—and Liverpool’s attack.
