Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah has confessed that he has not yet developed full chemistry with new signing Hugo Ekitike. The Egyptian forward is part of a reshaped frontline featuring Ekitike and Florian Wirtz, with Alexander Isak due to link up with the team following the international break.
The Reds invested roughly £450m during the summer transfer window, bringing in Isak, Wirtz and Ekitike as marquee captures. Their arrivals coincided with the departures of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez, while Diogo Jota tragically passed away in a road accident.
Liverpool have made a winning start with three consecutive league victories over Bournemouth, Newcastle and Arsenal. Ekitike has impressed by scoring in his opening two outings, though the team’s overall play has been patchy, relying on late strikes and a brilliant Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick against the Gunners.
Salah found the net against Bournemouth and created Rio Ngumoha’s dramatic winner at St James’ Park, yet admits he is still adapting. Speaking on the Men In Blazers podcast, he revealed it will require time to settle alongside Ekitike and the other new arrivals.
“Up to now I haven’t really worked out the connections,” Salah explained. “With Darwin, Lucho, or Diogo I knew exactly where to position myself. I could read their movements and understood their style. With Hugo, he is fresh here.
“At times I need possession into feet, other moments it’s about space in behind. We’re learning that balance in training and through the analysis sessions the manager shows us. I’m confident it will soon click, and when it does it should also elevate my own performances.”
Alongside the £125m Isak, £116m Wirtz and £69m Ekitike, Salah is now partnering with teenage sensation Rio Ngumoha. The 17-year-old showed maturity by calmly converting Salah’s pass to clinch the 3-2 success against Newcastle, benefitting from the guidance of his experienced teammate.
“What sort of future awaits him depends on how he manages things,” Salah said of Ngumoha. “It’s all about putting in the work and remaining grounded because he’s very young. I reminded him that some players peak too soon and then fade away afterwards.
“I genuinely wish him well. He has a strong environment around him and we constantly give advice. The manager, Arne Slot, also speaks with him regularly. As long as he keeps his humility and continues working, we’ll see how far he can go.”
