Ekitike’s Brace Sinks Newcastle as Liverpool Clinch Crucial Victory
Anfield witnessed a dramatic turnaround as Hugo Ekitike’s scintillating brace before half-time propelled Liverpool to a vital win, leaving Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United to rue missed opportunities and a familiar tale of woe at the iconic stadium. The French striker, a player Howe admitted to pursuing twice, delivered a performance that not only reversed an early deficit but also effectively extinguished Newcastle’s hopes of a positive result.
Howe, speaking prior to the match, had expressed his admiration for Ekitike, stating, “He has got a bit of everything. He has great movement, can score with both feet and dribbles really well.” This assessment proved to be an uncanny prophecy as Ekitike single-handedly dismantled Newcastle’s aspirations within a mere three-minute spell.
The initial stages of the game saw Newcastle take a deserved lead through Anthony Gordon in the 36th minute. Gordon, who had been deployed as a makeshift centre-forward ahead of more expensive summer signings, found the net with a low drive past Alisson. However, this advantage was short-lived.
Ekitike’s first goal arrived in the 41st minute, an opportunistic finish from close range after a strong run and square pass from Florian Wirtz. Just two minutes later, the dynamic Frenchman struck again. Capitalising on a perceived narrow angle presented by defender Malick Thiaw, Ekitike unleashed a precise shot into the bottom corner, completing a stunning quickfire comeback and sending Anfield into a frenzy. The mood inside the stadium shifted from discontented murmurs to a rapturous chorus chanting Ekitike’s name.
The decision to start Gordon as the central striker, rather than the more traditional forwards Nick Woltemade or Yoane Wissa who were left on the bench, had already drawn criticism from some sections of the Newcastle fanbase. Statistics suggesting a lack of success with Gordon in that role this season only amplified the scrutiny. Despite this, Gordon showcased his persistent nuisance value in an opening period characterised by Newcastle’s intent and intensity.
The narrative of the game took a significant turn with Ekitike’s interventions. His performance was a stark contrast to the players Howe had opted for, highlighting the striker’s individual brilliance. It was later revealed that Ekitike had previously rejected Newcastle on two occasions, choosing the Premier League champions instead of a move to St. James’ Park. This rejection, coupled with Newcastle’s subsequent expenditure on other forwards like Woltemade and Wissa (who were left out of the squad), added a layer of irony to the proceedings.
In the second half, Liverpool extended their lead. Florian Wirtz, who has been in impressive goal-scoring form, netted his sixth goal in ten matches in the 67th minute, a tidy finish set up by Mohamed Salah. The scoring was completed by Ibrahima Konate in stoppage time, a poignant moment for the defender who was playing for the first time since the recent passing of his father.
Managerial Parallels and Fan Frustration
Both Liverpool manager Arne Slot and Newcastle’s Eddie Howe have navigated periods of inconsistency this season, and both have faced vocal minorities of supporters questioning their leadership. For Slot, the pressure is tempered by the triumph of last season and the recent personal tragedy of Diogo Jota’s death. The win, and particularly the impact of Ekitike and Wirtz, is expected to provide much-needed respite and demonstrate the potential of the squad.
Howe, on the other hand, is still grappling with the loss of Alexander Isak to injury, a factor evident in Newcastle’s attacking choices. The head coach has hinted that a segment of the fanbase may have grown complacent after four years in charge, perhaps harbouring an unrealistic expectation that a change of manager would instantly resolve squad issues during a transitional period.
The second half performance from Newcastle underscored these challenges, with the team appearing fatigued both physically and mentally. This was despite the presence of only two injured players on the bench, suggesting deeper underlying issues.
Match Facts
Liverpool (4-2-3-1):
Alisson 7; Szoboszlai 7, Konate 7, Van Dijk 7, Kerkez 6.5; Gravenberch 7, Mac Allister 6.5; Salah 6, Wirtz 7.5, Gakpo 6; Ekitike 8
Subs: Mamardashvili, Endo, Chiesa, Jones, Robertson, Nyoni, Ramsay, Ngumoha, Nallo
Manager: Arne Slot 6.5
Newcastle (4-3-3):
Pope 6; Trippier 5.5, Thiaw 5.5, Burn 6, Hall 7; Ramsey 6, Tonali 6.5, Willock 7 (Woltemade 72); Elanga 6 (Murphy 72), Gordon 7.5, Barnes 6.5 (Wissa 72)
Subs: Ramsdale, A Murphy, Shahar, Botman, Miley, J Murphy, Wissa, Osula, Woltemade
Manager: Eddie Howe 6.5
Referee: Simon Hooper 7
Newcastle’s journey to Anfield was undertaken with a rare sense of hope, a feeling seldom experienced given their last league victory at the ground dates back to 1994. This optimism was partially fuelled by their encouraging 1-1 draw against Paris Saint-Germain in midweek. However, the tactical decisions and the subsequent performance of Ekitike ultimately proved too much to overcome, extending Newcastle’s Anfield hoodoo and highlighting the significant impact one player can have on the fortunes of a team.
