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Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring for Liverpool against Crystal Palace in the 2025 FA Community Shield clash(Image: Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

Liverpool summer signing Hugo Ekitike appeared to send a message after netting the opener in the Community Shield against Crystal Palace.

The French forward got his Reds career off to the perfect start with a superb effort to give Arne Slot's side the lead.

Both Liverpool's summer arrivals combined for the opener as Florian Wirtz provided an assist for Ekitike, with the former Eintracht Frankfurt talisman curling a low effort beyond Dean Henderson.



The 22-year-old showcased his quality in his first competitive outing after making the switch from Germany worth £79million.

As he wheeled away after opening his Liverpool account, Ekitike looked to mimic a talking gesture following reaction to his move to Anfield plus the ongoing speculation surrounding the Reds' interest in Alexander Isak.

READ MORE:Diogo Jota tribute cut short after Crystal Palace disruption before Liverpool clashREAD MORE:Kostas Tsimikas absence explained as Liverpool transfer interest grows

Former Crystal Palace striker Glenn Murray felt that the celebration was a message towards the ongoing interest in Isak, suggesting that Ekitike was signalling the intent after his arrival.

He said: "It is the two new men.

Wirtz plays it into Ekitike and he hits it low and hard past Dean Henderson.

"He celebrates by using his hands as mouths.

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"There has been a lot of noise about Alexander Isak but Ekitike is blocking out the noise and is saying 'I'm here.'"

It was a rip-roaring first 45 at Wembley with Ekitike firing the Reds to a perfect start.

However, Ismaila Sarr went to ground after the challenge from Virgil van Dijk leading to Jean-Philippe Mateta to send Alisson Becker the wrong way from the spot.

But the Premier League champions fought back with an audacious cross-cum-shot from Jeremie Frimpong, who too crowned his debut with a goal.

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