Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe raves about 'very, very good' Liverpool star who has 'got a bit of everything'placeholder image
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe raves about 'very, very good' Liverpool star who has 'got a bit of everything' | AFP via Getty Images
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has been piling praise on one of the Liverpool’s players ahead of a Premier League meeting with the Reds
Arne Slot’s side are winless in their last five league outings, with a dramatic 3-2 loss at Bournemouth last weekend leaving them with just four points from the last 15 on offer.
They have slipped out of the top four and sit behind both Manchester United and Chelsea in the race for the Champions League. The Magpies are three places but just three points behind Liverpool as the sides prepare to face off on Saturday at 8pm.
The Reds have a great record over Newcastle at Anfield and beat them 3-2 at St James’ Park back in August when Rio Ngumoha scored a dramatic late winner on his Premier League debut.
One player who will carry a big attacking threat is Reds striker Hugo Ekitike. He scored in midweek as Liverpool gave themselves a much-needed confidence boost with a 6-0 win over Qarabag FK in their final Champions League league phase game.
They finished third in the 36-team table and will advance straight into the last 16.
Ekitike is the club’s top scorer this season with 13 goals to his name. No other Liverpool player has hit double figures, with the Frenchman proving to be a shrewd signing from the Reds.
Newcastle also tried to sign him from Eintracht Frankfurt during the summer but were outdone by Liverpool, who completed a deal worth up to £78m. So far, Ekitike is proving to be worth every penny.
And Eddie Howe has been raving about the player as he prepares to face him on Saturday.
The Magpies boss said in his pre-match press conference: “A very, very good player. I think it is well known I have liked him for a number of years - I tried to sign him twice.
"He has got a bit of everything. He has great movement, can score with both feet, he's good in the air and dribbles with the ball really well. He is a big talent."
After watching the striker score against Qarabag, the former Reds midfielder said: “I love this kid [Ekitike], I think he’s just gonna get better and better, what a signing he’s been so far.
“The main positive is these two [Ekitike and Wirtz]… the timing of the pass and the finish, they’re growing and evolving and that connection, they’re on the same wavelength. When there’s space behind the back lines, Liverpool can look extremely dangerous.”
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