Hugo Ekitike is ready to make his mark at Liverpool, with his former coach David Guion recalling the young player's impressive debut for Reims.

What drove Hugo Ekitike's success?

Guion discovered Ekitike playing for his neighbourhood team and gave him his first-team debut for Reims six years later.

Ekitike was only 17 but was already doing well for the Reims reserve team, who played in the fourth tier of the French league system.

How did Hugo Ekitike handle setbacks?

As the weekend approached, Guion named those who would be in his squad, reducing the size of the group, and Ekitike was one of those who missed the cut.

Ekitike asked to speak to Guion and told him that he thought it was the wrong decision, showcasing his impatience and strong personality.

What makes Hugo Ekitike stand out?

The kid is very, very, very sure of himself, says Guion, and that's his big quality, he's very conscious of his qualities and he always aims high.

Ekitike's skill and physical gifts immediately come across in the highlight reels, with 12 goals and 5 assists in the 2022-2023 season for Reims.

Ekitike grew up in Cormontreuil, a quiet suburb 20 minutes from the centre of Reims, and his performances for his local team brought him onto the radar of Guion.

Guion watched him play in a lot of local tournaments, and he was the best young player in the region, scoring a lot of goals and making good runs in behind.

And Ekitike began training with Reims, joining the academy formally at 12, and progressed through the categories, often playing above his age group.

But Guion had to work on Ekitike's attitude, keep him grounded, as he was impatient with everything, and that was Hugo, says Guion.

So Ekitike's journey from Reims to Liverpool is marked by his unshakeable self-confidence and impressive skill, with a strong personality that drives him to succeed.

Ekitike's interviews are like little manifestos, setting out his ambitions and expectations, and he really believes this stuff, says Guion.

As Ekitike looks to make his mark at Liverpool, his fans will be eager to see if he can live up to his own expectations, with the 2024-2025 season shaping up to be a crucial one for the young player.