The summer transfer window was one of pure elation for Liverpool supporters in the wake of the Reds’ Premier League title win, with one unexpected acquisition continuing to stand above the rest.
With the additions of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, French striker Hugo Ekitike largely fell by the wayside amid the transfer discourse, but no player apart from Dominik Szoboszlai has answered the call more emphatically than the former Eintracht Frankfurt forward across a frustrating 2025/26 campaign.
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Despite an opener from Anthony Gordon gifting Newcastle a deserved one-nil lead in the 36th minute, Ekitike sprang into action just as he has many times before since arriving on Merseyside.
A close-range finish in the 41st minute levelled matters on the night, before a sublime second to complete his brace just two minutes later turned the night on its head.
With his two-minute quick-fire strike, Ekitike now sits on three braces for Liverpool this season; the only player under Arne Slot’s charge to do so.
The 23-year-old Reims native, now on ten Premier League goals for the season, is second to only Erling Haaland (31) for total goal involvements for a Premier League side across all competitions with 19.
Is the leading role his to lose?
📸 Stu Forster – 2026 Getty Images