Should FPL Managers Replace Hugo Ekitike Ahead of GW 6?

I’ll be honest, I’ve been staring at my FPL forwards this week longer than I care to admit. And the name that keeps glaring back at me is Hugo Ekitike. When Liverpool signed him this summer after his breakout Bundesliga campaign, I thought we’d be getting a reliable 15-plus goal forward in Fantasy Premier League. He was nailed in my side from the start, and a lot of us expected him to explode in the early weeks. But here we are heading into Gameweek 6, and the question is loud: Should we look for a Hugo Ekitike FPL replacement for GW6?

The short answer is yes, for most squads. But I also think there are certain situations where holding him makes sense, so let’s dive into the details and figure out the smart play.

What Went Wrong With Ekitike?

First, context. Ekitike arrived at Anfield buzzing with confidence. Last season at Eintracht Frankfurt, he bagged 15 goals and 8 assists in all competitions, and Liverpool clearly wanted him as part of their rebuild. The early underlying numbers weren’t terrible either, decent touches in the box, creating chances, and showing link-up play with Liverpool’s midfield.

Then came the midweek Carabao Cup tie against Southampton. Ekitike scored the winner, but in a wild moment of emotion, he took off his shirt to celebrate, collecting a needless second yellow card. Arne Slot called it “unnecessary and disappointing.” The result? He’s suspended for Gameweek 6. In Fantasy terms, that’s an immediate zero.

And the timing couldn’t be worse, because Liverpool’s summer splurge also included Alexander Isak, who just got off the mark with his first Liverpool goal the same night Ekitike saw red. Suddenly, the Frenchman’s nailed-on starting status doesn’t look so nailed anymore, prompting managers to look for his FPL replacement.

Why You Should Replace Ekitike

There are a few big reasons I’m searching for Hugo Ekitike FPL replacements in my own team:

1. The GW6 blank – Straight up, he’s banned. You’re basically carrying dead weight in your forward line. Unless you’ve got incredible bench cover, that hurts.
2. Competition from Isak – Isak wasn’t bought for £60m to sit on the bench. If he clicks with Salah and Wirtz in that front three, Ekitike could find himself rotated. And in FPL, rotation risk is the enemy, forcing managers to look for fpl replacements.
3. Momentum matters – Forwards thrive on rhythm. Missing a match disrupts that, and I wouldn’t be shocked if Slot gives Isak a run of games to see how he handles the Premier League.
4. Better alternatives exist – At his price point, there are other forwards who are starting every week and delivering.

Who I’d Target Instead

If you’re hitting transfer confirm and saying goodbye to Ekitike, here are the names I like as replacements right now:

• Erling Haaland (Man City) – Yes, he’s expensive, but he’s still the cheat code. He’s leading the Golden Boot race again and remains the safest captaincy option most weeks. If you can stretch, he’s worth it.
• Viktor Gyökeres (Arsenal) – A really interesting pick. He’s been a menace in the box, racking up chances created and looking sharp with Martinelli and Ødegaard feeding him. Arsenal’s fixtures are about to get tasty.
• João Pedro (Chelsea) – A mid-priced gem. He’s starting regularly, and Chelsea are still one of the highest-scoring teams in the league.
• Benjamin Sesko (Man United) – Quietly picking up form, and United’s upcoming fixtures look much kinder, as is evident from taking a look at Sportsdunia's FPL fixture difficulty tool. If you want a slightly lower-owned differential, he’s one to watch.
• Richarlison (Spurs) – At the cheaper end, Richarlison has been getting minutes and scoring. Thomas Frank trusts him, and he’s an easy way to free cash for midfield premiums.

These forwards are not only playing in GW6 but also carry strong short-term fixtures, making them ideal picks for the upcoming gameweek. Compare that to Ekitike: zero minutes this week, uncertain future starts. That’s why I can’t justify holding him unless your squad is perfectly set.

But What if You Hold Ekitike?

Let’s be fair, there’s an argument for patience. If you already have Haaland and Gyökeres, and Ekitike is your third forward who you wouldn’t start in GW6 anyway, you might just bench him and ride it out. Liverpool didn’t buy him for nothing, and Slot clearly likes his work rate. If he reclaims his place quickly, he could still be a great FPL asset from GW7 onwards.

Personally, though, I don’t want that kind of uncertainty in my frontline. Strikers in FPL need to be reliable; you’re burning transfers otherwise.

My Move This Week

I’m leaning toward moving Ekitike to João Pedro. The money saved gives me flexibility to upgrade my midfield next week, and Pedro’s fixtures from GW6-8 look good. If I had more cash, Gyökeres would be top of my list. Haaland’s already locked in, so I don’t need to worry about captaincy.

Final Word

So, should you look for Hugo Ekitike FPL replacements in GW6? For me, yes. The red card suspension is enough reason to move him on, but when you add in Isak’s arrival and the risk of rotation, it feels like dead money sitting in your team. The only managers who might hold are those with strong benches and the patience to see if Ekitike wins back his starting role in October. But for the majority of us, the smart play is to jump off now, pick a safer forward, and let someone else gamble on whether he bounces back.

I started the season with high hopes for Ekitike, and maybe he’ll still prove me wrong later. But in FPL, it’s not about loyalty, it’s about points. And right now, the points are elsewhere.