Liverpool beat Newcastle United to the signing of Hugo Ekitike, who made a goalscoring start to his career during the Community Shield against Crystal Palace
Hugo Ekitike sent a message with his celebration after netting first Liverpool goal.(Image: Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Former Newcastle United target Hugo Ekitike appeared to hit back at criticism with his celebration during Liverpool’s Community Shield encounter against Crystal Palace. The France under-21 international opened his account in England with a brilliant individual effort to beat Dean Henderson.
The 23-year-old wheeled away in celebration, mimicking a talking gesture with his hands, after putting last season’s Premier League champions in front. His actions come just weeks after he snubbed the Magpies for a move to the North West and amid the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Alexander Isak.
Liverpool won the race to sign the Eintracht Frankfurt forward after Newcastle had a bid worth £70million turned down by the Bundesliga club. After he made the move to the Reds, it was suggested that he wouldn’t feature prominently within the Liverpool starting 11 due to their options.
But with Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez departing, Liverpool face a busy few weeks of the transfer window, in order to add replacements in their forward areas.
They have shown a strong interest in Isak and already have had a £110million bid rejected by Newcastle. The Swede has been banished to train on his own after expressing his desire to leave St James’ Park following interest from Liverpool.
Former Crystal Palace striker Glenn Murray felt that the gesture was a statement to the Anfield hierarchy over his position in the attacking standings on Merseyside, with the speculation intensifying surrounding Isak.
“It is the two new men. Wirtz plays it into Ekitike and he hits it low and hard past Dean Henderson,” he said “He celebrates by using his hands as mouths.
“There has been a lot of noise about Alexander Isak but Ekitike is blocking out the noise and is saying ‘I’m here.'”
The transfer window shuts in September and Eddie Howe faces key decisions in the transfer window, as well as their record-signing. The recent movement in the market from Liverpool has led to former defender Jamie Carragher questioning their approach and in particular, the pursuit of Isak.
“In terms of what Liverpool have done in the summer by bringing in players, they’ve spent a lot of money and it doesn’t feel like the Liverpool way of doing things so much,” Carragher. “Or certainly if you listen to some supporters who have been on the owner’s case for so long!
“He [Alexander Isak] will be an amazing signing, but from a fan’s point of view for myself, I don’t want Liverpool to spend £150 million on Isak. There’s something about Liverpool buying another striker [Hugo Ekitike], and he’s backup. Something about it doesn’t feel right to me. I know Liverpool need numbers, for a number of reasons, at the top of the pitch.
“I look at Isak, and he’s obviously thrown his toys out the pram once Arsenal signed a striker and Liverpool signed a striker. From his point of view and from his agent’s point of view, do they not tell Newcastle months ago that they wanted to move on?
“It feels a bit messy to me now. For me, when I think of Liverpool, it doesn’t look really planned – I don’t think the plan is to buy a striker for £80 million, and then be looking to buy another one for £120 million.”
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