Liverpool star Hugo Ekitike's thoughts on Eintracht Frankfurt clear ahead of reunion

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Hugo Ekitike was pictured wearing an Eintracht Frankfurt training top ahead of Liverpool's Champions League meeting with the Bundesliga outfit on Wednesday. The French striker moved to the Reds from Frankfurt during the summer for a £69million fee (potentially rising to £79m) - yet his fondness for his former team clearly hasn't faded.

A video shared on social media last week showed the 23-year-old wearing Frankfurt gear during a shooting drill while training with France on international duty. Although Ekitike spent less than two years in Germany, the club evidently remains close to his heart.

He initially joined Frankfurt from PSG in February 2024 on loan before making the transfer permanent that summer. In his first and only full season at Deutsche Bank Park, the forward scored 22 goals, performances that led to a high-profile move to Liverpool .

Following his switch to Anfield, Ekitike posted an emotional note on social media, describing his connection with Frankfurt as "true love" and saying the club was "engraved" in him. He even wished his former team luck in the Champions League - adding with a wink, "unless you face me."

"It's crazy how quickly time flies but leaves us indelible traces and memories," Ekitike wrote on Instagram . "I haven't forgotten anything since my first day among you.

"The truth is it's here that I learned love - true love. First the love of the most incredible fans ever (thank you for your love your warmth and your support, thank you for celebrated me as one of yours every time, I never felt like a stranger among you). Then the love of the entire club from top to bottom.

"You have each been at one time a shoulder or an ear for me. I grew up with you and I owe you for continuing to be what I have become among you and hold your values high... We never really leave those we love, even far from Deutsche Bank Park, I will fulfil my new role, being the first supporter of this club that I love."

He added: "Wish you guys well in the Champions League (unless you face me)."

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Ekitike is expected to play against his former side on Wednesday, having only been used from the bench in Liverpool's 2-1 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday. The Frenchman enjoyed a bright start to life at Merseyside but has seen his form dip slightly in recent weeks.

He featured in seven of Liverpool's opening eight games of the season, scoring five goals and providing one assist. Recently, however, he has been overshadowed by fellow summer signing Alexander Isak , who seems to have become Arne Slot's preferred No. 9.

Since netting the winner against Everton a month ago, Ekitike has played just 44 minutes of Premier League action. He has made short substitute appearances in defeats to Chelsea and United but has struggled to influence games.

This limited game time comes despite Isak's underwhelming form. The Swedish forward, who joined for a British record £125m, has yet to score in four league matches and has only found the net once in seven appearances across all competitions - the opener in a 2-1 win over Championship side Southampton .

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In that same fixture, Ekitike came off the bench to score a dramatic late winner, only to be shown a second yellow card moments later for taking off his shirt during the celebration.

After a poor run that has seen Liverpool lose four games in a row in all competitions, the Premier League champions will be desperate for a response against Frankfurt. Back on familiar ground, Ekitike will surely be eager to impress - and a standout performance could not only help spark a Liverpool revival, but also strengthen his place in Slot's first-team plans.

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