Credit: Liverpool X/Imago

Chris Smith

Sun 10 August 2025 15:48, UKUpdated Sun 10 August 2025 16:09, UK

Hugo Ekitike wasted absolutely no time in announcing himself to Liverpool supporters.

'Isak who?!'- Liverpool fans react to new signing's landmark moment against Crystal Palace	Virgil van Dijk hits out at Crystal Palace fans who spoiled minute's silence for Diogo Jota before Liverpool's Community Shield defeat by Crystal Palace at Wembley	'Isak who?!' - Liverpool fans react to Hugo Ekitike's stunning debut goal

The French striker joined the Reds from Eintracht Frankfurt this summer having previously looked on the verge of signing for Newcastle United.

Ekitike looked promising during pre-season, registering an assist in a 3-2 win over Athletic Club in a performance that yielded two big chances created, two shots and four touches in the opposition box (FotMob).

But, of course, it’s in competitive action where Ekitike will be judged.

Any worries that Ekitike would suffer from nerves in his new surroundings were quickly put to bed, with the 23-year-old opening the scoring against Crystal Palace in the Community Shield at Wembley after just four minutes.

It was a superb finish from distance from Ektike, who received the ball from fellow debutant Florian Wirtz for just his fourth official touch as a Liverpool player.

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Unsurprisingly, Liverpool fans went haywire on social media, with some even suggesting they need not continue their pursuit of Newcastle talisman Alexander Isak.

Football Insider verdict

Ekitike’s fine strike will come as a source of relief for Liverpool supporters following the latest update on Isak.

Despite the Reds seemingly being willing to spend around £120million on the Sweden international, it’s now understood that Newcastle have no interest in doing business this summer.

Should that be the case, Liverpool will surely move for other targets, with their depth up front still looking unsettlingly short in the wake of the sales of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez.

That said, they’re in good hands with Ekitike.

As mentioned, he needed just four touches and four minutes to open his Liverpool account.

But that shouldn’t come as a surprise after a 2024/25 season in which he registered 22 goals and 12 assists in 48 appearances across all competitions — including 15 goals and eight assists in 33 Bundesliga appearances to help Frankfurt qualify for the Champions League.

Eintracht Frankfurt statsHugo EkitikeAppearances64Goals26Assists14Hugo Ekitike’s Eintracht Frankfurt career stats

The likes of Yoane Wissa and Jean-Philippe Mateta — who scored a first-half penalty on Sunday — have been rumoured as possible alternatives to Isak.

But Ekitike continued to look bright in an exciting opening to the match, laying down a marker to Arne Slot that he’s not here as anything else but a nailed-on starter.

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