He is the one who got away for Newcastle United this summer, and Hugo Ekitike has really made the Magpies regret that after his latest display for Liverpool.
Newcastle United signed Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa to bolster their attacking line during the summer, but Ekitike was a prime target for a long time.
The French forward eventually opted to sign for league champions Liverpool instead, and he’s hit the ground running since arriving at Anfield.
Ekitike was joined by Alexander Isak at Liverpool, but there’s only really been one winner when comparing the two players this season.
What Alan Shearer said about Hugo Ekitike
After Ekitike bagged a brace in the win over Brighton on Saturday, Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer had huge praise for the Liverpool man, and so did his colleague on Match of the Day.
Danny Murphy started the hype, saying: “They’re different players [Ekitike and Isak], but obviously as a striker you want to impact games; scoring goals, making goals, causing the other team problems. He’s doing all of that. Even winning the ball back, which is super important for Liverpool, he deserves all the credit.”
Shearer then added: “He’s got seven goals in ten starts. There’s a rawness about him, definitely. But I love his attitude. I love how keen he is. I love how he’s taken to life at Liverpool in what has been a difficult season, and he’s the one who has stood out. I think he plays with freedom.”
It may have been a bit painful for Shearer to admit all of that, given Ekitike snubbed Newcastle in the summer. Still, credit where credit’s due, he’s been absolutely brilliant at Liverpool.
Liverpool clearly didn’t need Alexander Isak
The frustrating thing for Newcastle fans is that Liverpool made such an effort to lure Alexander Isak away from Tyneside, even though they didn’t really need him.
He’s been a peripheral figure at Liverpool, in fact, with Ekitike well and truly stealing the limelight. Ekitike has scored ten goals in all competitions this season, while Isak only has two.
It’s interesting to think what could have been if Isak had stayed put. He would probably be doing a lot better at Newcastle than he is at Liverpool, that’s for sure.
Why Isak is struggling at Liverpool is anyone’s guess, but it’s likely down to the fact the Reds have such a different style and system to the one Isak thrived in at Newcastle.