Liverpool have had a sensational start to the 2025/26 Premier League campaign with two great wins over Bournemouth and Newcastle United.
In both the games, the Reds needed a little bit of magic from the bench to help them steer home with all three points.
Among many positives from the three games this season, including Liverpool's penalty shootout defeat to Crystal Palace in the FA Community Shield earlier this month, the one constant has been new signing Hugo Ekitike scoring a goal in each of them.
The Frenchman has been an instant hit for Arne Slot's men as he has already won over the Liverpool fans with his superb performances in the first three games for his new team.
He hammered a spectacular goal against Newcastle United and with every strike he is gaining more confidence and is proving to be a great addition to this stacked Liverpool forward line.
Interestingly, Ekitike is only the fourth Liverpool player to score in his first two Premier League matches after the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Milan Baros and Nigel Clough.
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However, despite a fiery start to life at Merseyside, Ekitike has been omitted from the France squad for the upcoming international break in September where they will face Ukraine and Iceland for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
France manager Didier Deschamps has preferred Monaco star Maghnes Akliouche, who has received his maiden national team callup along with the usual suspects for Les Blues.
What does this mean for Liverpool ace Hugo Ekitike?
While Ekitike will be a little disappointed to not get aa callup from Deschamps, it will fuel his fire to do even better for the Reds in the upcoming fixtures.
There are three international breaks lined up in the next three months and therefore the former Eintracht Frankfurt man will have enough chances to secure his spot in that France team.
On the other hand, Liverpool fans will be relieved as we have often seen players get injured during international duties in the past therefore, they don't need to worry about the Frenchman at least in this international break.
The 23-year-old has joined Liverpool this summer for a transfer fee worth £69m ($92.8m) after a sensational 2024/25 campaign with Frankfurt.
Overall, France are well equipped in attack with players like Kylian Mbappe, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Marcus Thuram and Akliouche.
According to several French outlets, Deschamps believes that it is too early for Ekitike to get his opportunity for Les Blues.
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