Liverpool star could replace Kylian Mbappe as £79m transfer impact becomes clear

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Hugo Ekitike has hit the ground running at Liverpool, with the striker ultimately the only summer signing to make an immediate impact at Anfield. The 23-year-old has already netted five goals and provided an assist in his first 10 games for the club, including three goals from six Premier League matches.

Scoring on his debut against Crystal Palace in the Community Shield and in his first English top-flight match against AFC Bournemouth , he then went on to become the first player to score in each of his first three Liverpool appearances since Daniel Sturridge in 2013.

Already a hit with the fans, who regularly sing his catchy chant on matchdays, he also scored the winning goal in his first Merseyside derby last month.

His impressive form following his £79m transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt has not gone unnoticed and earned him his first senior international call-up earlier this season.

However, this only came about after Rayan Cherki had to withdraw from Didier Deschamps' squad due to injury, with the in-form Reds forward called up as first reserve, reports the Liverpool Echo .

The World Cup-winning manager handed Ekitike his France debut last month against Ukraine as a late substitute, before bringing him on in the final minute against Iceland. The forward, who wore the number 19 jersey in both games, featured for just 10 minutes across his first two international caps.

But fast forward a month and, with Ekitike this time called up in his own right for the October international break, he could be set to play a significant role.

The striker has reportedly been given the prestigious number nine shirt as France gear up for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Iceland, according to French journalist Ilies Peeters.

And with a glance at France's attacking options for the two matches, Ekitike might even be in line for his first international start.

Kylian Mbappe was the main striker when Ekitike made his first two appearances for his country, with Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola on the wings for his debut against Ukraine.

Marcus Thuram then took over from the former against Iceland, as injuries to Doue and substitute Ousmane Dembele ultimately paved the way for the Liverpool forward for both games.

Doue and Dembele are both still injured and they have also been joined on the sidelines by Barcola. Meanwhile, Thuram, Cherki and Randal Kolo Muani were also missing from the latest France squad.

As a result, the uncapped Jean-Philippe Mateta received his own maiden call-up, with Kingsley Coman, Christopher Nkunku, Michael Olise, Florian Thauvin and Maghnes Akilouche joining Ekitike and Mbappe as Deschamps' attacking options.

However, the France captain is also a doubt due to injury, after Mbappe suffered an ankle injury in Real Madrid's victory over Villarreal.

Deschamps would provide an update on the striker, alongside Ibrahima Konate who picked up a thigh injury in Liverpool's defeat to Chelsea , as he dismissed concerns they were dealing with serious problems.

"There are still injuries. I don't have any additional information," Deschamps said. "We'll have an update when the players arrive. Kylian is here. He had a small problem that isn't a deal breaker. Otherwise, he wouldn't have come.

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"The observation is that for the vast majority, they arrive tired. They arrive from one week to three matches. I will have to spread out the playing time more than in September. They are all fit to play."

Consequently, it appears that, irrespective of Mbappe's fitness, additional chances will be available for Ekitike.

Being handed the number nine jersey provides a further indication of the position he might be about to occupy.

With the forward undoubtedly hoping for a maiden start, and perhaps first goal, for France in the coming weeks, his campaign to remember is set to continue as his reputation continues to grows following his big-money transfer to Liverpool.

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