Hugo Ekitike scored his first Champions League goal on Wednesday night as Liverpool beat Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1, with the Frenchman starting up front alongside Alexander Isak
Hugo Ekitike has confessed that his partnership up top with Alexander Isak needs some work, following their first game together for Liverpool against Eintracht Frankfurt. The France international managed to level the score for the Reds after a well-executed counter-attack, contributing to Arne Slot’s team’s impressive 5-1 victory in Germany.
Additional goals from Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai secured a resounding win for Liverpool, allowing the current Premier League champions to recover from Sunday’s defeat to Manchester United and halt a four-match losing streak.
Ekitike, who joined the Reds from Frankfurt in a deal worth £79million this summer, put on a strong performance against his old club before being substituted in the 74th minute, shortly after Liverpool’s fifth goal. However, Isak was subbed off at half-time after being repeatedly thwarted by goalkeeper Michael Zetterer, with Slot disclosing post-match that the decision to pull the Swede was due to a groin injury.
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Ekitike can now boast of six goals and an assist from 12 appearances for the Reds so far. In contrast, Isak has scored one goal and provided an assist from eight games – with his only goal coming in the League Cup third round victory over Southampton.
The Sweden international has been playing catch-up after a chaotic pre-season at his old club Newcastle United, where he effectively went on strike to push through his high-profile move. And while he’s still finding his feet, having now potentially suffered a knock after being substituted against Frankfurt, Ekitike remains convinced the duo will develop a formidable partnership down the line.
“I think it was good,” he said when asked about his first start alongside Isak. “Obviously, it was not the best half together, but I think we can improve together.
“He’s a very good player. I know in time we need to work together and find a good association and the links will come and it will work.
“I think it (why I have settled so quickly) is because in my brain, I feel good. I have very good team-mates, good staff. I love my life there.
“I just hope I’m going to keep going… I feel really good and they have helped me a lot. I think that’s why I’m calm and just doing my thing.”
Meanwhile, Ekitike, who chose not to celebrate his landmark goal against Frankfurt and, instead, raised his hands apologetically towards the home fans, also praised his former employers after the final whistle, acknowledging he wouldn’t be at Liverpool without the crucial role the Bundesliga side played in his development.
“You know I had to (score), it was a great feeling,” he told TNT Sports. “Obviously, it was something special today for me to come back, I would say at home. I know everybody here.
“It was a special game for me. Obviously to win, it was important and, also, score my first goal in the Champions League. So I’m really happy.
“I was just keeping cool, calm. I do what I can do. I knew he would come and he would open the legs so I tried to put it between the legs and that worked. That was good.
“I have so much respect for them (Frankfurt). They made me the player that I am right now. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t come to Frankfurt.
“I can be respectful and grateful for what they gave me. I will keep what I learned there – and what they gave me all the time in the future.”
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Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
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