Newcastle United manager, Eddie Howe has tipped Liverpool’s new striker, Hugo Ekitike, to be a major threat in the Premier League this season.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference ahead of Newcastle’s clash with Liverpool at St James’ Park on Monday, Howe praised the 23-year-old forward’s qualities and revealed his long-standing admiration for the player.
Ekitike, who joined the Reds from Eintracht Frankfurt this summer, had previously been on Newcastle’s radar as a potential replacement for Alexander Isak. He made an immediate impact by scoring on his debut in Liverpool’s 4-2 win over Bournemouth last Friday.
“I’ve liked Hugo for a long time,” Howe admitted. “He’s someone we’ve tracked for years. He’s intelligent and has a number of attributes that I believe will help him succeed in the Premier League.”
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Looking ahead to Monday’s showdown, Howe acknowledged the challenge his side will face in containing the Frenchman.
“Our job will be to keep him quiet and try to control him,” he said. “But there’s no doubt—he’s going to be a threat this season.”
