How Ekitike Signals Slot’s Tactical Shift Back Towards Klopp

Arne Slot’s Liverpool rebuild is rapidly reshaping the reigning Premier League champions. The £69m arrival of Hugo Ekitike, following deals for Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez, marks a tactical revolution – and a subtle return towards Jurgen Klopp’s ‘heavy metal’ football.

This is no longer Klopp’s team. But in Ekitike, Slot may have found the forward to blend his Guardiola-inspired possession game with the high-speed, vertical transitions that defined Liverpool’s greatest years under Klopp.

Ekitike by the numbers: why Liverpool paid £69m

Ekitike, 23, scored 15 goals and provided 8 assists in 31 Bundesliga games last season, ranking fifth for total goal involvements. His 44 open-play chances created and Bundesliga-high 117 shots underline his influence across the pitch.

Bundesliga 2024/25 stats:

• 44 shot-ending carries (1st)

• 4 goals from fast breaks (1st)

• 126 attempted dribbles (5th)

While his 12.8% conversion rate suggests some rawness, comparisons to Alexander Isak at the same age highlight his sky-high potential.

A striker perfect for transitions

Ekitike’s game thrives in transition. He is adept at:

✅ Holding up play and linking with midfielders.

✅ Breaking defensive lines with explosive dribbles.

✅ Swapping positions in a two-man strike partnership.

At Eintracht Frankfurt, his fluid relationship with Omar Marmoush made them a nightmare for Bundesliga defences. At Liverpool, he could replicate this synergy alongside Mohamed Salah.

Slot’s tactical evolution: Guardiola patience or Klopp chaos?

Slot initially calmed Liverpool’s high-octane style in 2024-25, moving towards Guardiola’s controlled possession. But Ekitike and Wirtz hint at a shift back to faster, more direct football.

Potential formation tweaks:

• 4-2-3-1: Wirtz as a true No.10, Salah drifting inside to partner Ekitike.

• Split striker system: Ekitike and Salah rotating in attack, with Frimpong adding width.

• High-press transitions: Using Ekitike’s pressing and carrying ability to create chaos.

With Frimpong bombing down the right and Kerkez on the left, Liverpool now have the weapons for devastating counters.

The big picture

Ekitike’s signing gives Slot tactical flexibility. He can drop deep like Firmino, run in behind like prime Mane, or play in a two-striker system.

As modern football evolves beyond pure positional play, Liverpool’s new attack looks ready to “ride the rhythm” – just as Pep Guardiola recently described.

Whether Slot fully embraces Klopp-like verticality or stays closer to Guardiola’s methodical build-ups, Liverpool’s Premier League title defence just got a huge boost.