Liverpool's £69million Hugo Ekitike gamble shines light on Man City transfer success

It's no surprise Eintracht Frankfurt rose to third in the Bundesliga last season, given the career trajectories of the two players whose goals helped them qualify for the Champions League.

Omar Marmoush and Hugo Ekitike formed a potent partnership up front for the Eagles, and the strength they carried in attack meant that when Marmoush moved to Manchester City in January, they could rely on Ekitike's goals to get them over the line.

The two had tended to dovetail in attack until that move, and you can see why Eintract boss Dino Topmoller operated with a duo when they caused the damage they did.

“We have two centre forwards who can score goals out of nothing, and can create chances out of nothing," he said.

Now the Premier League is set to see how they compare. Marmoush has been impressive since his £59million move to the Etihad, and Etikite is now set for a £69million switch to Liverpool.

Having combined to deadly effect in the Bundesliga, they will become rivals at the top of the Premier League, and the debates over who got the better deal will begin in earnest.

City have paid the smaller fee, and there is an argument that the stats are in their favour. Marmoush, 26, scored an astonishing 19 goals and 12 assists in 23 Bundesliga and Europa League games for Frankfurt last term before his mid-season move. These are eye-watering numbers, and he carried some of that form to the Premier League.

The Egyptian's goal against Bournemouth earned the Premier League goal of the season award and was one of seven he scored in 16 league appearances for City as he hit the ground running in Manchester. His experience of playing alongside Etikite helped him play with Erling Haaland on several occasions.

Ekitike is costing Liverpool at