Liverpool’s Dominant Win Over Newcastle
Liverpool secured a convincing 4-1 victory over Newcastle United on Saturday, with Hugo Ekitike emerging as the standout performer. The French striker netted a brace, showcasing his clinical finishing and all-around abilities that have transformed perceptions of his £69 million transfer fee.
Pre-match attention focused on Alexander Isak, the former Newcastle star now sidelined with a leg injury, watching from the stands. However, Ekitike, who nearly joined Newcastle last summer, proved the bigger threat. The 23-year-old revealed earlier this week that a move to Tyneside was ‘close’ before he opted for Merseyside instead.
Ekitike’s Impressive Goal Tally and Versatility
Ekitike’s two goals in the match elevated his total to 15 since arriving in England, including 10 in the Premier League. This performance positions him as a strong contender for signing of the season, particularly amid Liverpool’s challenging campaign.
Unlike Darwin Nunez, whom manager Arne Slot publicly critiqued last year for needing to enhance his overall contributions, Ekitike brings a complete skill set. Slot emphasized these qualities upon his signing, noting the striker’s value extends beyond scoring.
Ekitike excels in aerial duels, hold-up play, speed on counter-attacks, intelligent positioning, and even distribution. Late in the game, as Newcastle mounted pressure, he cleared a header from his own penalty area, demonstrating defensive awareness.
His scoring repertoire is diverse—headers, right-foot strikes, left-footed efforts, instinctive finishes, and opportunistic shots from tight angles. This versatility proved crucial after Liverpool’s winless streak in the league to open 2026.
Slot Praises Ekitike’s Work Rate and Energy
Following the match, Arne Slot highlighted Ekitike’s positive impact. ‘He is funny, happy, always brings a nice energy to the training ground,’ Slot said. ‘But also to the stadium because the fans love him as well. From the start, everyone can see how special he is and how fast he is.’
Slot added that while fans focus on goals, he values the improvement in off-ball work. ‘Not only him, our other signings played a good game as well. Everyone should talk about his goals and his actions… But me as a manager, I have seen improvement over six months but lately a lot of improvement in terms of workrate off the ball.’
The manager explained, ‘The better we are off the ball, the more we have the ball. The more we have the ball, the more they can show how special they are.’
Blossoming Partnership with Florian Wirtz
Ekitike’s synergy with fellow summer signing Florian Wirtz has become a cornerstone of Liverpool’s attack. Wirtz, who scored six goals in his last 10 games after a sluggish start, dictated play with visionary passes.
Ekitike described the connection: ‘He’s a great player. It’s pretty easy for me to play with him. I can do everything with that kind of player, I find the free space and he is gonna find me.’
Defender Ibrahima Konate, returning after a personal bereavement, praised Wirtz: ‘He just showed to the world his quality and for me he hasn’t reached his peak right now, this will come very soon.’
Wirtz’s potential remains vast, and his growing influence suggests he could dominate matches single-handedly once fully adapted.
Value for Money and Areas for Growth
At £69 million plus £10 million in add-ons, Ekitike’s fee appears justified compared to other high-profile Premier League strikers. His consistency and pressing intensity are areas for refinement, as Slot demands higher levels of off-ball effort.
Yet, when Isak’s injury sidelined him, Liverpool supporters remained composed, confident in Ekitike’s reliability as a prolific No. 9.
Liverpool Regains Momentum Under Slot
The win marked Liverpool’s first league comeback victory this season, restoring their intimidating Anfield aura. With two consecutive wins and 10 goals at home this week, belief in Slot is growing despite earlier fan divisions.
A pre-match banner in the Kop read ‘Arne’s Slot Machine… Believe!’, urging unity. Slot, committed through season’s end, benefits from this renewed support as the team pushes forward.
