Hugo Ekitike was the star of the show for Liverpool on Saturday after scoring both goals in the 2-0 win over Brighton.
On a day where all eyes were on Mohamed Salah, the Frenchman overshadowed him to secure a big three points for the Reds.
It was the second time in succession that Ekitike had hit a Premier League brace having previously gone eight league matches without finding the net.
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Who was your man of the match during Liverpool’s impressive 2-0 win over Brighton?
Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring for Liverpool against Brighton in the Premier League at Anfield.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
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The two goals took his tally to double figures in all competitions and to a respectable seven in 15 Premier League matches.
What makes Ekitike’s haul even more impressive is that it came in only 10 league starts. As it turns out, only one player in Liverpool history has scored more at this stage of his Anfield career.
Hugo Ekitike only behind Daniel Sturridge at Liverpool
Prior to his double at Leeds last weekend, murmurs were starting up whether Ekitike’s good start at Liverpool had been something of a false dawn.
Thankfully, the 23-year-old has made those suggestions look foolish.
Hugo Ekitike points to the Liverpool badge after scoring against Brighton in the Premier League at Anfield.
Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images
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READ MORE: Hugo Ekitike thinks Mohamed Salah did something ‘great’ during Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Brighton
As per Premierleague.com, Ekitike’s seven goals in his first 10 Premier League starts for Liverpool is second only to Daniel Sturridge.
Sturridge hit the ground running after joining in 2013, scoring eight times in 10 starts for the Reds.
A clinical, elegant centre-forward capable of playing wide or dropping deep, there are shades of Sturridge in Ekitike’s game.
The former Eintracht Frankfurt striker has beaten some incredible attacking players to sit in second-place on this all-time Liverpool list. Keep going, and he’ll put his name right among them by the time he’s through.
What did you read into Salah’s full-time reaction at Anfield today?
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool pats the Liverpool badge on his shirt after the Premier League match between Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Will he play for Liverpool again?
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Ekitike must continue to play for Liverpool
Even though he came away with two goals in the end, Ekitike could have had even more for Liverpool on Saturday.
The France international looks a threat whenever he gets on the ball, with his pace and movement opening up opposition defences.
The one sidenote to Ekitike’s form is where it leaves striker partner Alexander Isak. The Swede came off the bench against Brighton but never looked like scoring.
Isak now has only two goals in 15 appearances for Liverpool, a worrying record which needs to improve quickly.
In the meantime, as Arne Slot debates whether to play Isak and Ekitike together or only one more often than not, Liverpool’s No. 22 must be on every teamsheet. He is on fire.
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