John Barnes Commends Liverpool Duo Amid Team’s Challenges
This season has been a trying one for Liverpool, as they currently find themselves in 6th place in the Premier League standings.
With only five victories in their past 18 league matches, the pressure is mounting on manager Arne Slot.
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Nonetheless, there’s a silver lining. Following a record £450m investment in new talent over the summer, some players are starting to showcase their potential, particularly Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike.
Liverpool legend John Barnes, in an exclusive interview with EPL Index, shared high praise for both players…
Barnes ‘Truly Impressed’ by Wirtz and Ekitike
“From what I’ve observed of Florian Wirtz throughout the season, I believe he has not struggled at all,” Barnes stated. “Every time he has the ball, he appears to be a threat. The challenge he faces is different from his time at Bayer Leverkusen, where he was the focal point.”
“At Leverkusen, his teammates focused on getting him the ball and creating opportunities for him,” Barnes elaborated. “Now, at Liverpool, with stars like Hugo Ekitike, Alexander Isak, and Mo Salah alongside him, his role has shifted to supporting them instead.”
Photo: IMAGO
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“Hugo Ekitike has certainly made an immediate impact with his contributions and goals. I’ve been particularly impressed with Wirtz, especially in his offensive movements,” Barnes remarked. “While many may have expected more given the hefty price tag, the team is still finding its rhythm, and there will inevitably be some challenges. I have no doubt that all of Liverpool’s attacking signings will ultimately shine.”
Analyzing the Stats
After a slow start, Wirtz has become more decisive in the final third. Since December 20th, no player in the Premier League has been involved in more goal-scoring actions across all competitions than Wirtz, who boasts seven such contributions.
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Ekitike has made the fastest impact among Liverpool’s recent signings and is already looking like a steal despite his £69m transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt. The 23-year-old has netted 13 goals and provided four assists so far this season.
With Alexander Isak out due to a long-term injury, Ekitike has ample opportunity to make a significant scoring impact in his debut campaign.