Gary Neville concedes misjudgement over Hugo Ekitike’s start at Liverpool

Gary Neville has admitted he underestimated Hugo Ekitike after the French forward’s explosive first season at Liverpool. Speaking on The Overlap this week, the former Manchester United captain reversed his pre-season prediction that Ekitike would need time to adapt, acknowledging the 23-year-old’s instant impact at Anfield.

“I said eventually [he’d be a success at Liverpool] but not straight away, and I was wrong. He’s been a hit straight away,” Neville conceded.

Ekitike arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer of 2025 and has since rattled off 15 goals across all competitions, establishing himself as Arne Slot’s first-choice striker ahead of Alexander Isak. Even when the Swedish international regained fitness, Slot retained faith in the Frenchman, a decision vindicated by Ekitike’s prolific return and growing cult-hero status among supporters.

The plaudits have extended beyond Merseyside. Alan Shearer labelled Ekitike “world-class” after a recent match-winning display, lamenting Newcastle’s failed pursuit: “It hurts even more because Newcastle were in for him… he was the difference.” Shearer singled out a toe-poke finish with Ekitike’s weaker foot as evidence of elite improvisation.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot went further, comparing the striker to Brazilian great Romario for the audacity of his second strike: “It looked like a Romario goal, I have to say.”

Peter Crouch joined the chorus, invoking memories of Fernando Torres at his peak. “Ekitike’s second goal reminded me of peak Torres at Anfield… slowed the defender down, then burst away with pace and finished with the outside of his right foot,” Crouch noted.

With 15 goals already to his name and high-profile endorsements mounting, Ekitike has transformed from a summer question mark into one of the Premier League’s most feared marksmen—proving Neville and other early doubters resoundingly wrong.