![\"Hugo](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/0_Hugo-Ekitike-13.jpg\")
Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\nLatest Liverpool news after Hugo Ekitike made his maiden appearance for the RedsHugo Ekitike of Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Hugo Ekitike<\/a> has posted two wordless messages after making his unofficial Liverpool <\/a>debut on Wednesday. The 23-year-old, who signed for Arne Slot’s side in a \u00a379 million plus add-ons deal from Eintracht Frankfurt last week, made his first appearance in Red against Yokohama F Marinos<\/a>.<\/p>\n Slot named Ekitike in his starting XI to face the Japanese outfit and the former Paris Saint-Germain forward lasted the opening 45 minutes before he was taken off at half-time.<\/p>\n Darwin Nunez came on in his absence and the Reds went on to win 3-1. Despite going behind through Ashai Uneaka’s strike, Liverpool responded and turned it around with Florian Wirtz scoring his first for the club, while Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha also found the net for Slot’s men in Japan.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Florian Wirtz sends eight-word message after Liverpool landmark as next step clear<\/a>READ MORE: Alexander Isak transfer latest as Eddie Howe issues update amid Liverpool interest<\/a><\/p>\n For Ekitike, he endured a difficult first appearance for the Reds. The Frenchman didn’t have a real chance during the game but worked hard and tried to link up with his new teammates.<\/p>\n And after making his Liverpool bow, Ekitike took to social media to send a message to his new supporters. In two separate Instagram stories, he posted an image of him in action against Yokohama.<\/p>\n Although Ekitike may not have had the best first appearance in a Liverpool shirt, the plan was always to use him for around half an hour to 45 minutes. Speaking before the match, Slot said: “Ekitike can play half an hour to 45 minutes, we decided it would be best for him to start.<\/p>\n “So let’s see if he can get half to half time, or I have to take him out already earlier.”<\/p>\n After the game, Slot decided to heap praise on teenager Ngumoha following another impressive cameo performance. “He was not the only one that impacted the game from the bench,” Slot said.<\/p>\n “Trey Nyoni scored, assist by Jeremie Frimpong, Curtis Jones played a big part in the first goal. But Rio again showed the quality he has. “That is nice for us because we have a lot of very good players but to get some brand new players from the academy is helpful. It gives energy to the team.<\/p>\n “It is nice to see young players at 16, 17 or 18 impacting the game. But there was also a moment in the game where he should have squared it to Curtis.<\/p>\n “But if you are 16 and you can impact games like he did, that is definitely a compliment.”<\/p>\n The best LFC news, features, videos and podcasts<\/p>\n Nobody covers Liverpool Football Club in more detail than the ECHO. Our team of reporters follows the Reds home, away and abroad and we have seven days a week coverage of everything from the first team, to the women’s team and the Academy.<\/p>\n Here’s how you can get the best LFC news on every platform:<\/p>\n Download our premium LFC App<\/strong> for exclusive content and ad-free reading. Apple here<\/a> and Android here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Follow us on Facebook<\/strong><\/a>, X (formerly Twitter)<\/a><\/strong> and Instagram<\/a><\/strong>. Our Blood Red brand<\/strong> is one of the top rated LFC podcasts. You can watch it on Youtube here<\/a> or search Blood Red podcasts wherever you listen. We’re also on TikTok<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Join our WhatsApp community<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>for breaking news directly to your phone as it happens and follow our WhatsApp channel for updates and the best pictures.<\/p>\n Subscribe to our newsletters<\/strong> here<\/a> for all the news directly to your inbox.<\/p>\n Subscribe to Dave Powell’s Bottom Line newsletter<\/a> <\/strong>for exclusive business of football news, features and interviews directly to your inbox<\/a>.<\/p>\n Follow us on every platform here<\/a>.<\/p>\n For the latest news and breaking news, visit_ liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/liverpool-fc_<\/a>. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.<\/p>\n Follow us on Twitter<\/a> @\u200cLivEchoLFC<\/strong> – the official Liverpool ECHO LFC Twitter account – for all the latest LFC news as it happens in real time.<\/p>\n We’re also on Facebook<\/a>\/LiverpoolEchoLFC – your must-see LFC news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO.<\/p>\n Listen to our podcasts by searching for ‘Blood Red’ wherever you get your podcasts.<\/p>\n Sign up for one of the Liverpool Echo’s free daily and weekly newsletters on Liverpool FC<\/a> by clicking here<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Hugo](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/0_Screenshot-2025-07-30-at-214703.png\")
Hugo Ekitike shared a message on Instagram following his Liverpool debut(Image: Instagram \/ hekitike)<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2_Blood-Red-logo.jpg\"){kind=logo}
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