Hugo Ekitike: I want to keep going and do even more for this team

The French forward has been on the scoresheet five times in eight competitive appearances, since arriving at the Reds from Eintracht Frankfurt this summer.

Having missed the Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace last time out due to suspension, the 23-year-old is available for selection again and attended a press conference on the eve of his side's Champions League encounter away at Galatasaray.

Read on to see what Ekitike had to say to reporters at RAMS Park...

On the start of his Liverpool career...

I think I settled well. Obviously I had a good adaption. The boys, the staff, everybody in the club helped me so much to adapt to this new environment. I would say everything goes well. You know how football is, you need to keep going and stay consistent.

On Alexander Isak's arrival and playing alongside him...

I think it's good. We play at such a big club. I can't see one big club playing just with only one striker. I think it's good that he's here. From my age, I think I have still a lot of things to improve and learn, so for me it's good that he's here. That's [for] the coach to decide how he wants to play, that's not me. But obviously you know it's a great player. I've been playing in a two-striker composition, one striker, so I can do a lot of things. If we have to play together, I can do that.

On his red card against Southampton in the Carabao Cup...

I think that wasn't smart. Obviously I punished myself alone, I would say. I felt a bit disappointed to watch the boys from home last Saturday. But as I said, I apologised to everybody already, to all my teammates. That kind of thing won't happen again. I just move on now and I'm just looking forward to playing. I just focus on football.

On what Arne Slot wants from him tactically...

Honestly, the coach didn't talk a lot about my way to play or where I need to play. He gave me a lot of freedom in terms of being able to link up with the boys or go behind. I can do a lot of things. He just wants me to bring my football in the team. He didn't say much about that.

On the reasons for joining Liverpool this summer...

It's just the best choice, it's the champion of England. For me, they had great players, great history. It just fit with what I was looking for after Frankfurt. I think it was a good choice from me. That's why I chose Liverpool – it's just the best option and I wanted to come.

On 'giving space to opponents' and facing Galatasaray...

Every game is different. Premier League, Champions League games [are] different. I think tomorrow is going to be a tough game, playing here in Galatasaray, playing away from Liverpool is difficult. I can't really say much about that [giving space]. It's the start of the season, we still have to find connections and to adapt to each other. I think in time it will be better but I'm confident.

On whether he expected this start to his Liverpool career and playing in the Champions League...

To say I knew I would perform like that, no – but that's what I expected. I work for that. Obviously I'm happy that it works and I just want to keep going and do even more for this team. When I first played [in the] Champions League with PSG [Paris Saint-Germain], I was young, I was on the bench, I was more watching. I would say now it's my time being someone who can help the team to reach success [in the] Champions League and I'm very grateful for that. I will give 100 per cent of myself.

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