Richard Hughes wants deal for incredible Premier League rookie of the year
TL;DR
Richard Hughes is pursuing a deal for Hugo Ekitike, who has impressed as a Premier League rookie with 11 goals. Meanwhile, Alexander Isak, Liverpool's record signing, has struggled with injuries and only scored two league goals.
Key points
- Richard Hughes seeks a deal for Hugo Ekitike
- Ekitike has scored 11 Premier League goals
- Alexander Isak has only two league goals this season
- Isak's performance affected by injuries
- Ekitike's injury will sideline him for an extended period
Mentioned in this story
Richard Hughes wants deal for incredible Premier League rookie of the year
Liverpool have faced turmoil in the striking department this season.
Alexander Isak - a record Ā£125m signing from Newcastle - has yet to really get going. The Swede has only got two Premier League goals to his name in a write-off of a campaign - suffering numerous injury problems inculding a broken leg.
His strike partner Hugo Ekitike meanwhile has got off to a better start at Anfield. The 23-year-old has got 11 top-flight goals to his name - 17 in all competitions - but is now set for an extended spell on the sidelines.
Ekitike was hit with what appears to be an achilles tendon injury against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and could be out long-term.
Given Isakās lack of robustness it could mean Arne Slot and Richard Hughes going back into the market for a striker next summer. Isak isnāt the kind of player to be relied upon to play every game and so the Premier League champions require options.
Liverpool interested in deal for Eli Junior Kroupi
One option in the frame is Premier League breakout star Eli Junior Kroupi. The 10-goal Bournemouth rookie has been outstanding for Andoni Iraolaās side - attracting interest from around the top flight as well as abroad.
The Daily Mail now claims that Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea are in the chase for the young Frenchman - who moved to the south coast from Lorient last summer.
āKroupi is attracting interest from a number of Premier League clubs, notably Liverpool and Chelsea, as well as teams in Spain,ā the report reads.
Eli Junior Kroupi: Situation summary
Eli Junior Kroupi is a 2006āborn forward who joined Bournemouth from Lorient in 2025 and has quickly become one of the Premier Leagueās most talkedāabout teenage attackers.
Standing around 1.79m and rightāfooted, he typically wears No.22 and is already a France youth international while still eligible for Ivory Coast.
He is a versatile attacker who can play as a central striker, left winger or leftāsided midfielder, but is at his best drifting in from the left to finish moves.
His game is built on movement, timing and clean ballāstriking rather than pure physical dominance, with very strong underlying shot volume and goal numbers for his age group dating back to his prolific Ligue 2 season with Lorient.
In 2025ā26 he has produced 10 Premier League goals in just over 1,200 minutes for Bournemouth, posting elite shot and goal metrics relative to other young forwards and cementing himself as their main attacking reference.
That output, on a team expected to be fighting in the bottom half, is fuelling the āwonderkidā tag and heavy interest from bigger clubs.
Q&A
What are Hugo Ekitike's current stats in the Premier League?
Hugo Ekitike has scored 11 goals in the Premier League this season.
Why has Alexander Isak struggled at Liverpool this season?
Alexander Isak has faced injury issues, including a broken leg, limiting his performance to just two league goals.
What is Richard Hughes' interest in Hugo Ekitike?
Richard Hughes wants to secure a deal for Hugo Ekitike, who has shown significant potential as a rookie in the Premier League.