Interview'I believe we'll improve' - Hugo Ekitike assesses Liverpool's upcoming run

The Reds are set to return to action following the international break by welcoming Nottingham Forest to Anfield on Saturday afternoon.

It’s a game that begins a series of seven in just 21 days for Arne Slot’s side across two competitions.

Nevertheless, it’s a challenge Ekitike believes he and his teammates are ready to tackle, telling Liverpoolfc.com: “I think it’s going to be a tough period with a lot of games – not easy games. The games before the internationals were obviously difficult, too.

“We are going to need to stick together and really support each other because it is going to be a busy period with a lot of matches. But I am confident. I think we can do something; we have a lot of games to come back to, but it is a good place for us to be there.

“Football is about momentum. We started this season by winning all of our games at the end of the game, last-minute goals. Then we started to lose games, but I think we can change that.

“We can switch to victories again. It is just [about] momentum. I believe we can improve and get better.”

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Forest will arrive on Merseyside this weekend in 19th place in the Premier League standings after 11 games.

However, the appointment of Sean Dyche has produced an uptick in fortunes, with the side unbeaten in their last three outings.

“They changed the coach and now they have been good defensively,” added Ekitike. “They have an especially good defence, so I feel like all of the games – every game – in the Premier League is going to be tough.

“We will need to work and be ready for this weekend.”

Ekitike returned to the AXA Training Centre this week after a profitable international break, during which he scored his first senior goal for France in a qualifier against Ukraine and helped his country seal their place at the 2026 World Cup.

“[I feel] proud, it’s a good feeling obviously,” reflected Liverpool’s No.22. “I was a kid dreaming, I would say! It was a really good trip with the national team and now I am happy to come back.

“I got a lot of messages [after my goal]! Honestly, I couldn’t open all of the messages but I’d say thanks for the love!”

Having broken his duck for France, Ekitike is now aiming to building on the promising start he’s made to his Liverpool career following his summer transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt.

The 23-year-old said: “I feel I am getting better. Even though in the last month I didn’t score much, I improved a few other things in my game.

“It’s about getting better – and I think I am getting better and I am sure it’s going to work.”