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Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer speakon The Rest is Football podcast

Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike netted and provided an assist on his Anfield bow against Bournemouth.

And the Reds new boy left Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer thoroughly impressed.

Ekitike spearheaded Liverpool's attack on the opening night, becoming the inaugural goalscorer of the 2025/26 Premier League season when he fired in his second goal in as many games in the 37th minute.

The Reds ultimately required three more goals to secure a hard-fought 4-2 victory, but alongside Florian Wirtz, the France Under-21 international appears poised to deliver consistent threat.

READ MORE:Marc Guehi Liverpool transfer intrigue grows after Crystal Palace snubREAD MORE:Arne Slot gets Liverpool boost for Newcastle amid Alexander Isak transfer drama

During their analysis of the big-money No.9s who have made Premier League transfers this summer, Lineker and Shearer found themselves in complete agreement regarding Ekitike's immediate influence.

"We saw Joao Pedro...

not much happened for him after his glory in the Club World Cup final," Lineker remarked on The Rest Is Football podcast, reports Liverpool.com, referencing the Brazil international's blank in Chelsea's 0-0 draw at home to Crystal Palace.

"We saw Viktor Gyokeres for Arsenal (who won 1-0 at Manchester United), he didn't really get a kick, and Benjamin Sesko (of Man United) came on relatively late (so) it's hard to judge.

But I think the one striker, the nines, who really stood out for me in an impressive debut was Ekitike."

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"Yeah, he carried on from last weekend, didn't he, in the Community Shield," Shearer responded, referencing Ekitike's sharp finish in the Wembley curtain-raiser against Crystal Palace, which Liverpool lost on penalties after it finished 2-2 after 90 minutes.

"It was interesting to hear him talk after the game.

"In terms of him saying the physicality of the Premier League, he's had slightly different (experiences).

One minute he's going up against a big center half in a scrap, but I think he's got the intelligence also to drop off like he did for his goal.

"It was a lovely run to get the ball short, then find the space in the middle and go in behind.

"He might have got a little bit of luck in the ricochet with the tackle, but the way he finished it off.

"And of course linking up with Cody Gakpo, that goal as well, I think he played a large part in that with his hold-up play, the turn, and the pass, and all that.

It's a very, very promising start from him."

Ekitike netted 22 goals for Eintracht Frankfurt last season before securing his move to Liverpool The transfer could reach £79m with additional clauses included.

The Reds could yet add another centre forward to their ranks before the transfer window closes in two weeks time.

They continue to monitor the situation of Alexander Isak, having saw a £110m bid for the striker rejected by Newcastle United.

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Liverpool travel to Newcastle in their next match, on Monday week (August 25).


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