Liverpool shortcoming highlighted as Hugo Ekitike decision speaks volumes about transfer stance

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Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring Liverpool's second goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James' Park on August 25, 2025 (Image: Harriet Massey/Newcastle United via Getty Images)

It’s one of the curios of this fixture that Liverpool have been unable to field arguably their first-choice defence in eight years.

With Jeremie Frimpong absent, that trend continued here.

So too the issues the Reds seem to have at right-back against Newcastle, such as their most recent clash in the League Cup final when Jarell Quansah was pressed into service in the role.

The onus this time fell on Dominik Szoboszlai, with neither Conor Bradley nor Joe Gomez deemed able to start.

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While Szoboszlai’s versatility was evident during pre-season when occasionally featuring at right-back, the white-hot atmosphere of St James Park and direct running of Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon offered a significant step up in class.

But as has often been the case since arriving at Liverpool in the summer of 2023, the Hungary international embraced the responsibility and was an impressive performer in the unaccustomed position, his work-rate infectious.

Elsewhere in the rearguard, Virgil van Dijk’s aerial dominance and the composure of Alisson Becker were important in quelling at least in part the relentless barrage of throw-ins and set-pieces lumped into Liverpool’s box by Newcastle.

However, another dismal showing from Ibrahima Konate served only to increase the intrigue over the Reds’ interest in Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi.

Konate is becoming a major concern.

Gravenberch highlights shortcoming

So continues the wait for Liverpool’s midfield linchpins to be reunited.

Not since the Premier League title was secured with victory against Tottenham Hotspur back in April have Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister started in the same team.

While Gravenberch, a big miss last week against Bournemouth, was back from suspension at Newcastle, the absence of Mac Allister with a minor injury issue will be a worry given the Argentina international has been troubled by a niggling problem for much of the calendar year.

Gravenberch had a rare shocker during the eventful draw here last season and that trend initially continued on his first appearance of the season, not helped by an early booking for a foul on Bruno Guimaraes as referee Simon Hooper struggled to control a feisty encounter.

Liverpool’s midfield, as at Wembley, were given the runaround by an abrasive Newcastle.

But the moment that intensity dipped, so the Reds struck with their first concerted period of pressure as Gravenberch netted in off the post from 20 yards.

That it was only his second-ever Premier League goal highlights an obvious area for improvement in his game.

The Dutch international will improve on this performance, as too will Florian Wirtz who found it difficult to influence such a chaotic evening.

Before Hugo Ekitike even emerged from the tunnel, the mere mention of his name on the public address system inside the stadium prompted loud jeers from home fans who had taken their seats early.

Ekitike chose Liverpool ahead of the Magpies when deciding to leave Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer, with two goals and an assist in his first two competitive appearances suggesting he taken little time in finding his feet with the Reds.

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This fixture, though, offered more instructive feedback.