Liverpool 4-1 Newcastle: Former Magpies transfer target Hugo Ekitike scored twice in the first few minutes to ensure Arne Slott’s side ended the week on a high.
Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike scores twice to beat Newcastle (Image: Liverpool FC)
The brilliant Hugo Ekitike scored two goals in quick succession to take his tally to double figures in the Premier League and sink one of his summer suitors as Liverpool beat Newcastle 4-1 at Anfield.
Anthony Gordon scored in the 36th minute with a textbook finish past Alisson and into the far corner to move the visitors closer to the lead. However, Gordon and Newcastle’s joy did not last long as Ekitike chased him in the summer transfer window.
Minutes before half-time, he made no mistake in the penalty box when a dancing Florian Wirtz teed him up after wading through a sea of black and white shirts. And just two minutes later he completed the comeback with a smart finish with the outside of his boot.
Wirtz then scored a goal worthy of his performance after a one-two with Mohamed Salah, before Ibrahima Konate netted a late fourth goal. Here’s all the mirror football buzz from that big night at Anfield…
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1. Ekitike rubs salt into the magpie’s wound.
After the Alexander Isaac saga ended with the striker swapping his white and black stripes for red, it was always a safe bet that Liverpool had the firepower to overwhelm teams. However, with the Swedish star sidelined with a broken leg, Ekitike stepped up as Liverpool’s mainstay.
He was in great form here, and in fact has been for most of the season. Isak was always likely to be Liverpool’s first-choice No. 9 after they signed him for a British record £125m. But Ekitike was already purring when Isaac was brought in. And since then, he hasn’t really stopped.
His quick attack turned the game around, but Newcastle also suffered additional damage after chasing his signature. Liverpool bought him. And the winners are given the spoils.
2. The wonderful Florian
Florian Wirtz created the magic to set Hugo Ekitike up for Liverpool’s opening goal (Image: Paul Ellis/AFP)
If Ekitike has been red hot since his big summer move, Wirtz has now reached a boiling point. After a tough start to the Premier League, the German star is looking everywhere for the talent Reds fans are said to be acquiring.
His exquisite footwork in Ekitike’s opener deserved a Saturday night prime-time TV slot, albeit on TNT Sports rather than the famous BBC series. And his goal, his sixth in 11 games, was the cherry on top. There’s no question that Wirtz is really here now.
3. How about that?
Newcastle had an unforgettable night against Liverpool at Anfield (Image: Stu Forster)
With Liverpool’s defense so weak, it felt like Anthony Gordon’s goal from open play, his first in 33 Premier League games, could be the cornerstone of a memorable away win.
However, Eddie Howe’s forces were unable to find a reply after pursuing Ekitike’s Kagemusha, and Wirtz shed light between the two.
Had Newcastle won here they would have been level on points with Liverpool. They are currently six points behind the Reds in their quest to qualify for Europe again, with a number of teams in between the top six.
4. Stable Salah is back
Mohamed Salah provided his third assist in a Premier League match as they beat Newcastle (Image: Paul Ellis/AFP)
Mohamed Salah, long a key player for Liverpool, has been somewhat of a shadow this season. And the last two games have been something of a modest return to the XI for Arne Slot.
After appearing for Morocco at the African Cup of Nations, Salah continued to hold on to his place after starting in the 3-2 loss to Bournemouth, registering his third assist in a Premier League game.
Is he looking back at his explosive best? still. But he is recovering and is playing with a smile on his face again. And that can only be good news for Salah, Liverpool and Slott.
5. Slots get a break
Arne Slott and Liverpool bounce back from last weekend’s defeat to AFC Bournemouth (Image: Paul Ellis/AFP)
It’s been a difficult few months for Slott. After the euphoria of winning the Premier League in his first season, the past few months have been testing for the Dutchman.
His side needed a big week after their last-gasp defeat at AFC Bournemouth, and they delivered.
The 3-0 away win against Marseille in midweek was the perfect tonic and it was important that we continued that in the league. They did it justice, so that should take some pressure off the slot. Slott could still finish his second year in office with another trophy.
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