Hugo Ekitike makes statement as clear message sent to Arne Slot and Alexander Isak
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Liverpool Echo IconSportFootballLiverpool FCLiverpool striker Hugo Ekitike was on the scoresheet in France's comfortable World Cup qualifying win over Ukraine on ThursdayLiverpool forward Hugo Ekitike sent a clear message to his manager and team-mates with an impressive cameo for France on Thursday night.The 23-year-old was one of two forward additions at Liverpool over the summer alongside former Newcastle United talisman Alexander Isak. In their World Cup qualifier against Ukraine on Thursday evening, he came on in the 67th minute in place of Bradley Barcola on the left wing.In his 23 minutes on the pitch, Ekitike finally scored his first senior goal for France - and it was quite spectacular.
Ekitike’s strike was France’s fourth goal in a comfortable win that keeps them top of Group D in World Cup qualifying with five games played.Only the top team in each group automatically qualifies, with second place going into a play-off. France sit on 13 points, with Iceland and Ukraine on seven and bottom-placed Azerbaijan on one.With qualification for next summer’s World Cup now secure for France, Ekitike will hope to play from the start when they take on Azerbaijan in their final match this weekend.
The striker will also hope to carry his goalscoring form into his Liverpool performances as the Reds gear up for a crucial run of games after the international break.Despite the investment over the summer, Slot’s side have endured a challenging start to the campaign, with their recent 3-0 loss away at Manchester City compounding their issues. After the break, they host Nottingham Forest at Anfield before welcoming Dutch side PSV in the Champions League a few days later.With Isak also back fit and in the Sweden squad for their qualifiers, Ekitike’s versatility could be key if the manager wants to get both players into his starting line-ups.