Anfield fell quiet as Anthony Gordon celebrated his 36th-minute goal for Newcastle United against Liverpool, gesturing defiantly toward the Kop end. The forward’s strike put the visitors ahead, raising questions about whether Liverpool would suffer their first Premier League home defeat to Newcastle since 1994 or extend a potential winless streak to six games. However, Hugo Ekitike ensured those fears proved unfounded, equalizing with a sharp poacher’s finish and then adding a second goal just before halftime to swing the momentum.
Ekitike’s Impact Shines Through
The 23-year-old French forward’s quick brace delighted Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who guided his team to a convincing 4-1 victory. “The fans love him,” Slot remarked post-match. “From the start, everyone could see how special he is, how fast he is.” Ekitike’s performance highlighted his clinical finishing, a trait that has seen him net 15 goals for Liverpool this season alone.
Newcastle’s head coach Eddie Howe praised the striker’s versatility while admitting defensive lapses. “Sometimes you have to acknowledge the player against you while also acknowledging we could have defended better,” Howe said. “Ekitike is an outstanding player and you saw that today. He’s got a little bit of everything and that’s his biggest strength. He’s tall, quick and he can finish.”
Newcastle’s Repeated Pursuit of Ekitike
Newcastle’s scouting team had long admired Ekitike’s potential, attempting to sign him on three occasions, including last summer. The club first targeted the then-19-year-old from Reims in 2022, when he was relatively unknown in England. Ekitike expressed respect for the Magpies but chose to stay put mid-season. Later bids led him to Paris Saint-Germain and then Eintracht Frankfurt instead.
Third time proved unlucky for Newcastle, as Liverpool secured Ekitike’s signature ahead of them—and also signed Alexander Isak from the Tyneside club. Newcastle legend Shay Given voiced his frustration, stating, “It hurts me from a Newcastle point of view. [Ekitike] could be wearing a black-and-white shirt. He is brilliant at stretching defences. He has picked Liverpool and of all the signings they did make in the summer, he has been the standout.”
Evoking Torres’ Legacy
Ekitike’s display marked him as the youngest Liverpool player to reach double figures in a league season since Michael Owen in 2000-01. His second goal drew striking parallels to Fernando Torres’ debut strike for the club against Chelsea in 2007, as he latched onto Milos Kerkez’s pass down the left channel, powered past Malick Thiaw, and slotted home with precision.
Steven Gerrard, who assisted Torres’ famous goal, could not ignore the resemblance. “It is all about Hugo Ekitike running the channel,” Gerrard observed. “It is Torres-like. He gets out of his feet and that toe-poke… He reminds me of Torres every time I watch him.”
Growing Partnership with Wirtz
Ekitike’s synergy with teammate Florian Wirtz mirrors the potent Gerrard-Torres link from 2007 to 2011. The duo, who have bonded off the pitch, have combined for six goals across competitions—the highest among any Premier League pair. Slot noted their improving chemistry: “Hugo was scoring a lot of goals from the start of the season and Florian was involved a lot in creating chances for his team-mates and was unlucky that balls did not go in.”
The manager emphasized the challenges of maintaining intensity in a packed schedule. “It was not always possible to play them together every three days. That is what I mean when I speak about off the ball and match fitness—to be able to play every three days. That took a while for them to play at the best of their level at the highest intensity every three days. They are getting closer and closer, and it is no surprise the numbers are going up.”
