France manager Didier Deschamps explains why in-form Liverpool star missed out on his first international call-up for World Cup qualifiers

France manager Didier Deschamps has explained why Hugo Ekitike has been left out of his squad for their upcoming World Cup Qualifiers. 

The new Liverpool recruit has got his Merseyside career off to a flyer since joining in a £79million move from Eintracht Frankfurt, scoring in each of his first three competitive appearances for the club. 

Having played for Les Bleus at youth level, Ekitike would no-doubt have been hoping such form would be enough to earn him his first call-up to the France Men’s team for their fixtures against Ukraine and Iceland in early September.

But when the squad was announced on Wednesday, the in-form striker was nowhere to be seen. 

Deschamps instead opted to include Kylian Mbappe, Marcus Thuram, Ousmane Dembele, Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki and Michael Olise as his options up front, explaining that Ekitike missed out due to the ‘competition’ he faces in his position. 

‘Hugo, what he did last season and now at Liverpool… we were following him at Frankfurt,’ the World Cup-winning manager told reporters. 

‘It is good for him! It is great that he is efficient, but there is competition. I am not going to accumulate players but he has the potential to play for the France national team.’ 

Despite his impressive start at Anfield, Ekitike could soon too be facing stiff competition for his place at his club side amid Liverpool’s interest in Newcastle United wantaway Alexander Isak. 

The Reds had a £110m bid for the Swede rejected last month and, amid Isak’s attempts to force a move to Merseyside, could return with a second proposal before next week’s transfer deadline. 

But Eddie Howe and Newcastle are said to be unwilling to allow their talesman to leave until they’ve recruited two strikers to replace him, leaving the transfer at a halt. 

Liverpool manager Arne Slot was nevertheless full of praise for Ekitike following his side’s 3-2 victory at St James’ Park on Monday. 

After being asked about how Isak’s arrival would affect Ekitike’s game-time, the Dutchman responded: ‘I think the story should be about Hugo Ekitike for scoring another goal for us. It wouldn’t be fair for me to talk about anything else,’ the Liverpool boss said.

‘He’s had three games with us now and scored three goals. He’s impacted the games he’s played, as have my other attackers.

‘This is not the place to talk about anything else tonight, in my opinion, but I can understand you asking.’

In what is another big game early on in the season, Liverpool host Arsenal at Anfield this Sunday.