Luis Enrique praises former PSG striker Ekitiké ahead of Liverpool reunion
Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has publicly praised the development of his former player Hugo Ekitiké, who now leads the line for Liverpool, ahead of their Champions League meeting. The Spanish coach, speaking at a press conference, highlighted the significant progress the French international has made since his early days in Paris. Ekitiké is set to return to the Parc des Princes with Liverpool on Tuesday night for a crucial European fixture.
Luis Enrique was unequivocal in his appraisal. "He played very well in Germany and then, now, at Liverpool," the PSG boss said, according to reports from the press conference. "He is now an international player and I think he has improved a lot. He was very young when he was here and he has improved a great deal since." The comments acknowledge a player who arrived at PSG from Stade de Reims as a promising talent but struggled to secure a consistent role in the French capital.
The 22-year-old striker completed a permanent transfer to Liverpool last summer after a successful loan spell in the Bundesliga with Eintracht Frankfurt. While the exact fee for the permanent move remains undisclosed, his acquisition was part of Liverpool's offensive restructuring. At Anfield, Ekitiké has found his footing, scoring 16 goals across all competitions this season and establishing himself as a key figure under manager Arne Slot.
His return to Paris comes with compelling statistical backing. In this season's Champions League, Ekitiké is reported to be the second-highest chance creator in the competition, trailing only his compatriot and former teammate Kylian Mbappé. This form has cemented his place in the French national team setup and transformed him into the prolific striker many predicted he would become.
For PSG, the match is complicated by the return of a player they once owned, now posing a major threat. Luis Enrique's side will be without at least two players due to injury for the high-profile clash. For Liverpool, Ekitiké's journey from PSG prospect to focal point exemplifies a successful transfer strategy, bringing in a young player who has matured into a elite-level performer. The encounter provides a direct measure of that growth on one of football's biggest stages.
