LIVERPOOL 4-1 NEWCASTLE: Hugo Ekitike's double and a goal from Florian Wirtz helped Liverpool come from behind to beat Newcastle, boosting their Champions League hopes
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 31: (SUN OUT, SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield on January 31, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Hugo Ekitike inspired Liverpool's victory with two goals(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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On the row behind the Liverpool substitutes, Alexander Isak did not get to his feet but he applauded and smiled. And after seeing Hugo Ekitike inspire Liverpool’s winning comeback, the £125million striker must have wondered where he will be playing when he returns from injury, possibly towards the middle or end of February.
Because if Arne Slot, in the long term, plays with one central striker, Ekitike is making a fairly irresistible case for it to be him. The 23-year-old was, of course, wanted by Newcastle United and against Eddie Howe’s side, he showed exactly why.
It begs the simple question - why did Liverpool need to buy Isak? But that is done now and Isak should prove to be a great acquisition. Ekitike, though, is a thrilling prospect, his ninth and tenth goals of the Premier League clinical testament to his talent.
Throw in another goal and another improved performance from Florian Wirtz and this was a very satisfying night for Arne Slot and for the executives who signed off the big money buys in the summer. It ended a winless run of five Premier League games but for a good early chunk of proceedings, a convincing home victory did not look overly likely.
Howe had made quite a bold selection, choosing Anthony Gordon to play in a central striking role. Considering the former Everton player has a history of losing his head against Liverpool, choosing Gordon in any position was a gamble, to be fair.
And within the space of a couple of minutes, Gordon shoved an over-reacting Alexis Mac Allister and then went in maliciously late on Alisson, the second offence drawing Simon Hooper’s yellow card. The needless offences interrupted a decent Newcastle start, the visitors paying particular attention to Liverpool’s defensive issues on the right-flank, where Dominik Szoboszlai was the makeshift full-back.
Essentially, Gordon, Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes were interchangeable and, from the outset, their combined pace threatened to cause problems for a side that did not look full of confidence despite that romp against Qarabag. When Gordon drifted wide, Virgil van Dijk had to make a crucial intervention to stop his cross being met by an unmarked Harvey Barnes, who then saw his curling effort from a set-piece thump the inside of Alisson’s left-hand post.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: Hugo Ekitike comes on as a substitute to replace Alexander Isak of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid at Anfield on September 17, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike are unlikely to play together(Image: Clive Mason/Getty Images)
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Liverpool’s only positive moment during the first half-hour was a breakaway that left Mo Salah in a duel with Kieran Trippier, which the experienced defender won. But after a couple of what they perceived to be refereeing injustices, Liverpool livened up and Nick Pope had to pull off a decent one-handed save to deny Hugo Ekitike.
But it was still Newcastle who carried the greater danger and they went ahead through, almost inevitably, Gordon, whose low shot went through the legs of Milos Kerkez to make Alisson’s job that little bit more difficult. It was a tidy finish but you suspect that the keeper will be displeased to have been beaten by a low-powered effort.
Liverpool’s response, though, could not have been more positive and when they needed attacking leadership, the outstanding Ekitike provided it. He was thankful to wonderfully intricate work from Wirtz for his first goal but the conversion was still sharp and his second had some help from non-existent Newcastle defending.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 31: Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool FC (22) celebrates after scoring Liverpool's second goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield on January 31, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Hugo Ekitike scored twice as Liverpool won 4-1(Image: Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
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But it was still brilliant in its execution, Ekitike taking possession of a simple long pass from Kerkez before an injection of pace gave him the chance to flick a cute finish beyond Pope. It seemed the worst thing Newcastle did in the first half was score.
After the costly drop-off in intensity, Newcastle managed to regain some momentum early in the second half and Barnes forced a smart stop out of Alisson around the hour mark. But Liverpool always packed plenty of counter-attacking promise and Ekitike had already pulled a good hat-trick opportunity wide of Pope’s post before Wirtz made life comfortable for Slot with a side-footed acceptance of Salah's assist.
And then, there was the perfect, poignant, tearful ending as Ibrahima Konate - back in the side for the first time since the passing of his father - scored the fourth. It was a beautiful moment to seal a very satisfying Liverpool win.