Why Does Jamie Carragher Believe This Liverpool Star Is Already Clear Of A Club Legend?

Why Does Jamie Carragher Believe This Liverpool Star Is Already Clear Of A Club Legend?

Hugo Ekitike has gotten off to a fantastic start to his time at Anfield. He has completely made the striker position his own at Liverpool and has the whole footballing world in awe. In his most recent match, he scored a decisive brace in a 4-1 win against Newcastle United, bringing his goal contribution in all competitions to 19 in 32 games. This is a great return for the 23 year old's first season in England. A fantastic performance and an absolutely quality second goal had his name being talked about by everyone post-match, including Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher... he certainly had a few things to say about Ekitike's quality.

We thought that one looked familiar 😏 pic.twitter.com/ZhSjlepwJx

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 1, 2026

Fernando Torres comparisons have been drawn from multiple sources, including Liverpool's greatest ever player, Steven Gerrard; he himself has said that Ekitike reminds him of Torres due to his pace and power in front of goal. Torres is one of the best strikers that Liverpool have ever had grace the pitch, who, in such a short period at the club, scored plenty of goals and had such an impact that Liverpool fans still speak about him to this day! His career after Liverpool wasn't anywhere near the heights that he hit at Anfield, but no one can deny him of his star power at Liverpool.

Well... someone can. Jamie Carragher. After the Newcastle match, Carragher was on punditry, and he had this to say... "I actually think that Hugo Ekitike is a better player than Torres. I think Fernando Torres, certainly in a Liverpool shirt, was made by Steven Gerrard. Ekitike won't rely on Wirtz as much, but if the combination keeps going, he could get the goals Torres got.”

Jamie Carragher:

“I think Ekitike is a better player than Torres. He may not get as many goals, but Torres was made by Gerrard at Liverpool. Ekitike wont rely on Wirtz as much, but, if the combination keeps going, he could get the goals Torres got.”pic.twitter.com/cix9fxkL1e

— Slotoholic (@Slotoholic) February 3, 2026

This certainly is a huge claim from the Scouser, especially after Steven Gerrard has spoken with such high praise of Fernando Torres plenty of times. Gerrard even had the chance to make a direct comparison of the two strikers directly in conversation with Hugo Ekitike, but the Frenchman was humble in saying that he would love to be on the same level as him, but he doesn't believe that he is as good as him yet!

"I would never put myself on the same level as him"

Hugo Ekitike responds to Steven Gerrard comparing him to Fernando Torres 🎯 pic.twitter.com/8RBYqG8nUu

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 1, 2026

That comment alone has sparked massive debate among Liverpool supporters and pundits alike. Carragher is someone who knows exactly what it takes to succeed at Liverpool, having spent his entire career at the club, so when he makes such a bold statement, people listen. But it also naturally raises eyebrows when you consider just how iconic Fernando Torres was during his time on Merseyside.

Carragher, Torres, and What “Legend” Really Means At Liverpool

Jamie Carragher’s Liverpool career was built on loyalty, consistency and leadership. Over 700 appearances, countless battles at the back and a Champions League medal to top it all off, Carragher earned his legendary status through longevity and commitment. That is very different from the Torres story, which was short, explosive and emotional. Torres was at Liverpool for just over three seasons, yet his impact felt seismic. He didn’t need a decade at the club to be adored; he had Anfield in the palm of his hand within months.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿✨ Jamie Carragher played for just one club in his career: Liverpool! 737 appearances for them in total. Happy birthday to him. ❤️👏 pic.twitter.com/fgMqadTRSj

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) January 28, 2026

That contrast is important when looking at Carragher’s comments. From Carragher’s perspective, greatness is often tied to influence within a system and the players around you. Torres, as devastating as he was, benefited from being the focal point of a Liverpool side built to feed him. Carragher has always been honest about that era, and his view is that Torres was elevated by what was around him rather than being entirely self-sustained.

And that brings us to Steven Gerrard.

Gerrard And Torres: A Partnership That Defined An Era

The Gerrard and Torres connection was one of the most feared in Europe at the time. Gerrard’s perfectly weighted through balls, late runs into the box and unselfish creativity played directly into Torres’ strengths. The Spaniard’s pace, movement and composure in front of goal made him the ideal striker for Gerrard to supply. It was a partnership built on trust and understanding, and it produced some unforgettable moments.

Carragher’s argument hinges on that connection. His belief is that Torres, while elite, was not operating in isolation. Gerrard was the heartbeat of that Liverpool side, and many of Torres’ most iconic goals came from Gerrard doing what he did best. That is not a knock on Torres’ ability, but rather an emphasis on how crucial Gerrard was to his success at Anfield.

This generation still don’t appreciate just how good Gerrard and Torres were 8️⃣🔗9️⃣

You just had to be there! 🔴#LFC pic.twitter.com/SBBcuXKDNv

— Paul🥷 (@l4pablo) February 2, 2026

Ekitike, in Carragher’s eyes, offers something slightly different. The Frenchman appears more capable of creating chances for himself, drifting wide, dropping deep and impacting games without everything being funnelled through one player. While Florian Wirtz has already shown signs of forming a strong relationship with him, Carragher believes Ekitike’s ceiling is higher because he isn’t as dependent on one specific connection. This argument is certainly heightened when you look at Torres' career post-Liverpool; he was playing without Gerrard and certainly wasn't anywhere near as good...

The Ekitike x Wirtz Duo pic.twitter.com/WJJ7uNIp4u

— ＊ (@jaraaxz_) February 2, 2026

Of course, comparisons like this are always dangerous, especially when Torres’ legacy is still so cherished. Liverpool fans remember the goals against Manchester United, the electric pace, and the feeling that every time he was through on goal, it was almost inevitable. Ekitike is still at the beginning of his Anfield story, but if he continues on this trajectory, these conversations will only get louder.

Whether Carragher is right or not remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Hugo Ekitike has already put himself in rare company. To even be mentioned in the same breath as Fernando Torres, let alone be considered “clear” of him by a Liverpool legend, shows just how special his start at Anfield has been.