Liverpool’s 4-1 win over Barnsley on Monday evening was ultimately a lot more difficult than the scoreline may suggest.
While the gap between the two teams stood at a handsome-looking three goals at full-time, the Reds were given a scare by their League One opposition.
For much of the game, Liverpool were far from convincing. It was only after the emergence of Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike on the hour mark that Arne Slot’s team began to look anything like comfortable.
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It was no surprise to see the two players combine for the third goal of the game 25 minutes later, Ekitike sending a lovely flicked pass into the path of Wirtz who finished delightfully.
Deep into injury time the pair were at it again. This time it was Wirtz who turned provider as he flashed a perfect ball across the box for Ekitike to finish from close range. In setting each other up, Liverpool’s new dynamic duo did something for the first time in the club’s history and cemented themselves as the new hope for this Reds’ team.
Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz set niche record
It was fantastic just to see Ekitike named on the substitutes bench for Monday’s FA Cup clash, let alone get out onto the pitch and score.
Liverpool have badly missed his presence up front in the past two matches, and it did not take him long to show why he is the key player in getting the most out of Wirtz, too.
Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike celebrate after Wirtz scores in the FA Cup against Barnsley at Anfield.
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It has been clear from the opening minutes of their life on the pitch at Liverpool, when Wirtz set Ekitike up to score in the Community Shield, that these two are going to be a brilliant watch together.
And as statistician Michael Reid pointed out on X after the game, Wirtz and Ekitike are the first pair of Liverpool substitutes to both score and assist each other during the same game.
It is now four goals set up between the pair this season, a number which is the highest within the Liverpool squad.
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He was a joy to watch against Barnsley
Hugo Ekitike taps the Liverpool badge in celebration after scoring during the FA Cup match against Barnsley at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC
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Liverpool must let Ekitike and Wirtz combine
Part of the problem for Slot this season has been that, with so many new players, and so many injury problems to contend with, relationships have not been allowed to develop organically on the pitch.
There has been so much chopping and changing from one week to the next that the new signings have not been able to get on their teammates’ wavelengths and vice-versa.
For Wirtz and Ekitike, this has not been a problem at all. And if Liverpool are to have any success in terms of silverware this season, it feels like these two are going to be key.
It is now on Slot and his coaching team to make sure that they are as close together on the pitch as is possible. The blueprint is there, it’s just about finding a way to utilise it as often as they can. Do that, and Liverpool are clearly onto a winning formula.
There was not a lot to like about Monday’s win over Barnsley, but Wirtz and Ekitike sounded a warning to the rest of European football that they are only just starting.
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