Liverpool faced Crystal Palace at Wembley in the Community Shield on Sunday with £79million new boy Hugo Ekitike starting at centre-forward for the Premier League champions, and making a big impression
Alex Richards is Sport Editor at Mirror Online, responsible for writing news, features, editing the site and reporters’ copy, as well as attending matches.
He’s Liverpool’s new £79million centre-forward who may not be their first choice centre-forward by the time the summer transfer window is closed – but Hugo Ekitike made a big impression in his competitive debut for his new club at Wembley on Sunday.
The France Under-21 international, signed from Eintracht Frankfurt this summer, didn’t take long in showcasing his quality either, handing Arne Slot’s men the perfect start to their Community Shield clash with Crystal Palace, scoring inside four minutes and coming after the pre-match minute’s silence to Diogo Jota had been forced to end early.
Ekitike, 23, combined smartly with fellow new boy Florian Wirtz on the edge of the Palace penalty area, drifting in from the left onto his right foot, and firing a fine low effort from 20 yards into the far corner that left Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson grasping at thin air. It was a strike reminiscent of Ekitike’s last on English soil, for Frankfurt against Spurs in the Europa League last season.
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“It’s a brilliant goal,” said Ally McCoist, speaking on commentary for TNT Sport. “When the ball gets played in to him, he thinks about a backheel but decides against it.
“What a way to say hello to everybody.”
As he wheeled away to celebrate, it was notable what came next. The Frenchman headed away towards the corner flag, initially holding out his arms and hands as if to say ‘keep calm, I’ve got this.’
Then, somewhat solemn faced, mimicked a talking gesture with both hands. Make no mistake, he’s heard the noise concerning the Reds’ interest in Alexander Isak and this was his response.
“He celebrates by using his hands as mouths,” said Glenn Murray, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live. “There has been a lot of noise about Alexander Isak but Ekitike is blocking out the noise and is saying ‘I’m here!’”
He duly smiled and took the acclaim from his new team-mates, all smiles as he received a pat on the chat from Wirtz, with whom his link up at Wembley was excellent throughout, the two news boys from the Bundesliga very much on the same wavelength throughout.
Certainly, his 70 minute cameo in London showed that the 6ft 3in forward is going to be a problem for Premier League centre-backs this term, with his blend of pace, smart movement and sheer power. Not just that, but he gets into positions repeatedly to get shots off and, on another day, could have had a hat-trick.
And when he went off… well Liverpool weren’t as threatening, went a little limp in attack and, ultimately, fell to a penalty shootout defeat.
But intrigue remains over Alexander Isak, Liverpool’s interest, and just how much they’re willing to push Newcastle United this summer in their quest to land the Sweden international. Newcastle are standing their ground and only smashing the British transfer record again is going to do the trick.
But until that happens, Ekitike is blocking out the noise and looking to show he’s got this.
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