Liverpool’s newest attacking sensation, Hugo Ekitike has revealed an unexpected source of inspiration behind his rise, former Reds icon Fernando Torres. The young forward admitted that during his early years, he could not regularly watch Premier League matches and instead relied on YouTube clips to study the legendary Spanish striker’s movement, finishing, and overall playing style.
“I’ll never put myself at the same level,” he said humbly. “Back in the day, I couldn’t watch the Premier League much, so I watched a lot of clips on YouTube.” Those clips, he explained, often featured Torres at his devastating best in a Liverpool shirt, tearing apart defenses with pace and precision.
The comparison gained further weight after Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard suggested that the current forward reminds him of “El Niño” due to similarities in pace, power, and goal-scoring ability. Gerrard highlighted that the modern Reds striker possesses the same explosive running and instinct inside the box that once made Torres one of Europe’s most feared forwards.
Ekitike himself remains grounded despite the praise. “He was a great player. I loved him, and if I can reach his level, it would be great. I just have to keep working,” he added. Rather than embracing the comparisons, he sees them as motivation to improve and evolve.