{"id":1434592,"date":"2026-02-23T16:35:23","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T16:35:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&#038;p=1434592"},"modified":"2026-02-23T16:35:24","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T16:35:24","slug":"hugo-ekitike-analysis-missed-big-chances-full-story","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/hugo-ekitike-analysis-missed-big-chances-full-story\/","title":{"rendered":"Hugo Ekitike analysis: Why missed big chances don\u2019t tell the full story for Liverpool striker"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Hugo Ekitike has arguably been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/liverpool\/\">Liverpool\u2019s <\/a>signing of the season.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 23-year-old has struck up quite the understanding with \u00a3100million man Florian Wirtz on his way to 10 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/premier-league\/\">Premier League<\/a> goals. He\u2019s been impactful in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/champions-league-tips\/\">Champions League<\/a> too, netting twice and assisting once across his 550 minutes.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, over recent weeks, his performances have been put under the microscope and scrutinised. The former Eintracht Frankfurt attacker has missed at least one big chance in each of his last four Premier League starts. He\u2019s missed five big chances since he last found the back of the net for the Reds and this inconsistent run in front of goal has coincided with Liverpool averaging just one goal per game against three matches.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Arne Slot\u2019s side have claimed six points from nine during this period, managing narrow 1-0 wins over Sunderland and Nottingham Forest after a 2-1 defeat to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/outright-markets\/man-city-outright-odds-25-26\/\">Manchester City<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>In this article we&#8217;ll cover:<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-bad-finishing-or-bad-luck\" data-level=\"3\">Bad finishing or bad luck?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-the-haaland-paradox\" data-level=\"3\">The Haaland paradox<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-trusting-the-numbers\" data-level=\"3\">Trusting the numbers<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-bad-finishing-or-bad-luck\">Bad finishing or bad luck?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At a glance, these misses haven\u2019t been too costly in the grand scheme of things. The Premier League champions found ways to win these matches. Against Sunderland, a corner-kick was nodded on by Virgil van Dijk and deflected into the roof of the net. Against Nottingham Forest, Van Dijk\u2019s header was clawed away by Stefan Ortega only for Alexis Mac Allister to smash home the rebound.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But narratives are beginning to form.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His teammates aren\u2019t always going to be able to spare his blushes. Fans are starting to wonder whether the one-time PSG striker might not be the ruthless finisher the Reds need. And perhaps that is why Liverpool spent \u00a3125million on Alexander Isak this summer.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But is Ekitike a bad finisher or has he just been unlucky this season? After all, the odd poor finish does not make you a poor finisher.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/23162821\/ekitika-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1434597\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/23162821\/ekitika-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/23162821\/ekitika-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/23162821\/ekitika-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/23162821\/ekitika-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/23162821\/ekitika-1536x1536.png 1536w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/23162821\/ekitika-267x267.png 267w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/23162821\/ekitika-200x200.png 200w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/23162821\/ekitika-60x60.png 60w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/23162821\/ekitika-40x40.png 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/23162821\/ekitika.png 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-haaland-paradox\">The Haaland paradox<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Erling Haaland, for example, tops the charts this season for big chances missed (22) as well as goals scored (also 22). Igor Thiago has been a revelation in the English top-flight this term with 17 goals, but he\u2019s also missed 15 big chances.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Scoring goals and missing big chances go hand in hand. The skill, for a world class striker in the modern game, is to be in a position to get these opportunities. More often than not, if you\u2019re missing chances, you will, eventually, be in amongst the goals.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The issue for Ekitike is that, over recent weeks anyway, he\u2019s blanked in the games he\u2019s missed the big chances in.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"article-page__title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/tote-sign-up-offer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tote<\/a> sign-up offer: Bet \u00a310, get \u00a330 in free bets<\/h2>\r\n<p><strong>Not signed up to Tote yet? Here's how eligible readers* can take advantage of their welcome offer:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n<li>Open an account at Tote using\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/go\/totesport?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>this link<\/strong><\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<li>Use code B10G40 on registration.<\/li>\r\n<li>Deposit and place a \u00a310 bet on sports or racing at 1\/1 or greater.<\/li>\r\n<li>When it settles, unlock \u00a330 in free bets<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/go\/totesport?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1423558 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/06\/12092632\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-092614-1024x301.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"301\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/06\/12092632\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-092614-1024x301.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/06\/12092632\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-092614-300x88.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/06\/12092632\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-092614-768x225.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/06\/12092632\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-092614-1536x451.png 1536w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/06\/12092632\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-092614-400x117.png 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/06\/12092632\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-092614-600x176.png 600w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/06\/12092632\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-092614-204x60.png 204w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/06\/12092632\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-092614-150x44.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/06\/12092632\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-092614-40x12.png 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2024\/06\/12092632\/Screenshot-2026-01-12-092614.png 1802w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">#AD 18+ New customers online only. Eligibility restrictions apply. Bet min of \u00a3\/\u20ac10 at odds of 1\/1 (2.0) or greater across sports or racing (if EW then min \u00a3\/\u20ac10 Win + \u00a3\/\u20ac10 Place) within 7 days of registration. Receive \u00a3\/\u20ac20 Tote Credit and \u00a3\/\u20ac10 Free Sports Bet. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool or sports bet added to the bet slip. 7-day expiry. Full T&amp;Cs apply. Gambleaware.org.<\/p>\r\n<hr \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He had one big chance in the defeat to Manchester City, somehow guiding a header wide after a clever pass from Mohamed Salah. He also spurned a header against Sunderland, and missed a right-footed effort against the Black Cats moments earlier in a game he failed to convert either of his two big chances. Then against Forest, his header was easily dealt with by Ortega after good work on the right from Rio Ngumoha. Yes, he worked the goalkeeper, but it was far from difficult for the former Man City shot-stopper.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was a big chance missed. But the numbers show how he actually added value to the opportunity. With a bit of luck on his side, it beats the Forest goalkeeper. In the game at the City Ground, he had an Expected Goals haul of 0.51 but a Post-Shot xG total of 0.66. This hasn\u2019t been the story of his season though. For large parts, he\u2019s been wasteful. But this is the norm with young, inexperienced forwards. It\u2019s also the norm when you take a high volume attacker and minimise their involvement. There will be consequences to this. You aren\u2019t just scaling down their threat, you\u2019re also removing their opportunities to right their wrongs. Missed chances matter more when you aren\u2019t having as many shots.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/23162714\/image-12-819x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1434595\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/23162714\/image-12-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/23162714\/image-12-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/23162714\/image-12-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/23162714\/image-12-1229x1536.png 1229w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/23162714\/image-12-214x267.png 214w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/23162714\/image-12-160x200.png 160w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/23162714\/image-12-48x60.png 48w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/23162714\/image-12-120x150.png 120w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/23162714\/image-12-32x40.png 32w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/23162714\/image-12.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-trusting-the-numbers\">Trusting the numbers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is the case with Ekitike.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While turning out and impressing for Frankfurt last term, he was averaging over four shots on a per 90 basis. He had an xG of 0.72 and was missing, on average, 0.59 big chances per 90. This season, he\u2019s missing 0.55 big chances per 90 but having just 3.3 shots for an xG of 0.56.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Missed opportunities remain at a similar level, but everything else has been scaled back.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ekitike isn\u2019t bad, good, world class or poor. He\u2019s a young striker who is still developing while adapting to a new league and a new team. There will be highs and lows. There will be feasts and famines. It\u2019s part and parcel of signing a forward under the age of 26. There are inconsistencies to their game and you have to just accept this.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/23162714\/image-12-819x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1434594\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/23162714\/image-12-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/23162714\/image-12-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/23162714\/image-12-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/23162714\/image-12-1229x1536.png 1229w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/23162714\/image-12-214x267.png 214w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/23162714\/image-12-160x200.png 160w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/23162714\/image-12-48x60.png 48w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/23162714\/image-12-120x150.png 120w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/23162714\/image-12-32x40.png 32w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/23162714\/image-12.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ekitike will continue to miss chances. But the more chances he has, the more goals he\u2019ll score. The biggest takeaway from this is that Liverpool have a 23-year-old striker who knows how to carve out chances in the Premier League as well as in Europe. He\u2019s a goal threat and with experience, while playing in a more settled team, he\u2019ll become a reliable, sustainable goalscorer.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<h3><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/premier-league\/\"><strong>Premier League predictions &amp; tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/outright-markets\/premier-league-title-odds\/\"><strong>Premier League outright odds <\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/\"><strong>Latest football news<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best betting sites<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/best-free-bet-offers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best free bet offers<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a 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class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Joao Gomes analysis: Will Aston Villa&#8217;s new midfielder be able to replace Youri Tielemans at Villa Park?                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/harry-edwards\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Harry Edwards                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">1 day ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-martin-baturina-como-serie-a\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/19174438\/3ECXXR8-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Como midfielder Martin Baturina\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-martin-baturina-como-serie-a\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    Martin Baturina analysis: Why Como\u2019s Croatian star is attracting interest from Europe\u2019s elite                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/benmcaleer\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Ben McAleer                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">1 day ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-stars-summer-transfers\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/20103201\/feature_image-x-2-purple-1-2-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"12 World Cup stars who could be on the move this summer\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-stars-summer-transfers\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    12 World Cup stars who could be on the move this summer                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/chris-smith\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Chris Jones                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">2 days ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-player-stats-leaders-2026\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/20144356\/world-cup-stats-leaders-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"World Cup stat leaders: Who led the key metrics?\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-player-stats-leaders-2026\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    World Cup 2026 player stat leaders: Who led the key metrics?                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/harry-edwards\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Harry Edwards                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">2 days ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/squawka-writers-world-cup-team-of-the-tournament\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/18155716\/writers-pick-team-of-tournament-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"We asked Squawka writers to name their World Cup 2026 Team of the Tournaments\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/squawka-writers-world-cup-team-of-the-tournament\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    We asked Squawka writers to name their World Cup 2026 Team of the Tournaments                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/harry-edwards\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Harry Edwards                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">2 days ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-final-stats-you-might-have-missed-spain-argentina\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/20111854\/SYMHM_Spain_Argentina-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/world-cup-final-stats-you-might-have-missed-spain-argentina\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    World Cup Final stats you might have missed from Spain vs Argentina                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/jackkitson\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Jack Kitson                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">2 days ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                                            <article class=\"sq-card\">\n                                            <div class=\"sq-card__thumbnail\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/2026-world-cup-team-of-the-tournament\/\" class=\"sq-thumbnail\">\n                                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/20044220\/predictions_article-16x9-1-2-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/>                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sq-card__content\">\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__meta\">\n                            <span class=\"sq-card__label\">Features<\/span>\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/2026-world-cup-team-of-the-tournament\/\" class=\"sq-card__title\">\n                                <h2 class=\"sq-card__title-text\">\n                                    2026 World Cup Team of the Tournament: Spain dominate after lifting the trophy                                <\/h2>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sq-card__excerpt\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/author\/guilhermemirra\/\" class=\"sq-card__link\">\n                                    Guilherme Mirra                                <\/a>\n                                                        <time class=\"sq-card__label\">2 days ago<\/time>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hugo Ekitike has arguably been Liverpool\u2019s signing of the season.\u00a0 The 23-year-old has struck up quite the understanding with \u00a3100million man Florian Wirtz on his way to 10 Premier League goals. He\u2019s been impactful in the Champions League too, netting twice and assisting once across his 550 minutes.\u00a0 However, over recent weeks, his performances have&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3567,"featured_media":1434600,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Hugo Ekitike has missed some big chances of late - but the underlying numbers suggest there's no reason to panic for Liverpool fans.","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"features-category":[],"squawka-category":[],"class_list":["post-1434592","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.0 (Yoast SEO v28.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Hugo Ekitike analysis: Why missed big chances don\u2019t tell the full story for Liverpool striker | Squawka | EN<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Hugo Ekitike has missed some big chances of late - 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