Just hours before Liverpool’s showdown with Arsenal, new Reds striker Hugo Ekitike has sparked heated debate with a bold pre-match claim. The French forward, already central to Arne Slot’s attacking plans, admitted that only one Arsenal defender truly worries him ahead of today’s clash.
“There’s only one Arsenal defender I expect a real battle from. The others, I can handle. But this one… he’s relentless,” Ekitike declared.
Insiders believe he’s referring to William Saliba, the commanding centre-back who has earned a reputation as one of Europe’s toughest defenders, shutting down elite strikers like Haaland and Kane in recent seasons.
While Ekitike praised Saliba’s aggression and composure, his dismissal of Arsenal’s other defenders—Gabriel Magalhães, Ben White, and Oleksandr Zinchenko—may serve as extra motivation for the Gunners’ backline.
Liverpool fans see the comments as a show of confidence, while Arsenal supporters are backing Saliba to silence the Frenchman on his Anfield debut.
With mind games already in motion, all eyes will be on the duel between Ekitike and Saliba—a battle that could shape the outcome of this high-stakes encounter
