Liverpool held a 2-1 lead at half-time against Newcastle United thanks to a brace from Hugo Ekitike
Alexander Isak reacts to Hugo Ekitike's goal during Liverpool vs Newcastle United
Alexander Isak was impressed by Hugo Ekitike's goal for Liverpool vs Newcastle(Image: TNT Sports)
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Alexander Isak was seen showing his support for Liverpool teammate Hugo Ekitike after the striker’s quickfire brace against Newcastle United. The Reds were facing the Magpies in the Premier League at Anfield on Saturday night as they looked to bounce back from their defeat to Bournemouth last week.
Arne Slot’s side were dealt an early blow when Anthony Gordon put Newcastle in front in the first half in front of the Kop.
Liverpool responded with two quick goals from Ekitike, who was handed a start by Slot in the clash against Newcastle, having been linked with a move to St James’ Park in the summer before completing a switch to Anfield.
Isak was ruled out of the game against his former club as the Liverpool striker continues to recover from an ankle injury and a fractured fibula he suffered back in December.
The Sweden international was sat behind the Liverpool bench at Anfield to support his teammates, and was spotted celebrating the first goal from Ekitike, which came in the 41st minute.
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Just a couple of minutes later, Ekitike was giving Liverpool a 2-1 lead thanks to a long-range pass from Milos Kerkez which the France international latched onto and placed into the bottom corner past Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope.
Isak is yet to feature for Liverpool against Newcastle, with the striker a Magpies player at the time of the reverse fixture between the two clubs back in August and was not involved in the fixture before subsequently completing a £125million move to Anfield.
Ekitike’s brace against Newcastle means the striker has now taken his tally up to 15 goals in all competitions for the season, including 10 in the Premier League.
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard was full of praise for Ekitike following the striker’s brace against Newcastle, with the former Reds captain comparing the No.22 to Fernando Torres.
“This is all about Ekitike,” Gerrard told TNT Sports about Ekitike’s second goal. “It's Torres-like, he just gets it out of his feet.
“He reminds me of Torres this player, every time I watch him. He's scoring similar types of goals where if you give him space in the channel, he'll run it.
“He's too quick, you can't catch him and he is deadly.”
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