Hugo Ekitike backed to be Liverpool's new Peter Crouch ahead of £79m transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt as former Reds star predicts French striker will need time to settle at Anfield

The former Paris Saint-Germain forward reportedly flew to England on Tuesday with his agent to formally complete his transfer to Liverpool. He will now undergo his medical before putting pen to paper on a six-year deal. The final deal between the English and Frankfurt includes an initial £69m ($93m) fee, with the potential for another £10m to be paid at a later date in add-ons.

Ex-Reds and France forward Cisse has now opened up on his compatriot's transfer to the Premier League giants, as he suggested that Ekitike could be the club's new Crouch. He also issued a warning that Ekitike will need time to adjust to the intensity of English football.

Speaking to L'Equipe, Cisse said: "I think he'll adapt to the Reds' game. In his style, a bit of a 'target man', a bit like Crouch, all things considered, he's the only one in the squad. The coach will be able to take advantage of that. Afterwards, we shouldn't perhaps expect to be a starter all the time from the start. There's Mohamed Salah and some great players up front, again. Ekitike will especially have to get used to the intensity and impact of England."

Arne Slot's Liverpool will kick off their Asia tour with a pre-season friendly against AC Milan on July 26 at the Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong. Ekitike could join the tour once his transfer from Frankfurt goes through.