Former Liverpool forward Peter Crouch is backing Hugo Ekitike to score the first goal against Manchester City this weekend.
Speaking on his podcast, Crouch said that while he can see the Reds taking the lead, he still feels that the game on Sunday will end in a draw:
“This is always a tough one, isn’t it? I’d like to go for 2-2 because it’s been working for me, and I can just see it. I’m going to go with Hugo Ekitike to score first… I thought Liverpool did well on the weekend [against Newcastle]. Florian Wirtz looked sharp and Ekitike.”
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“Do you know what Ekitike’s second goal reminded me of? It reminded me of peak Fernando Torres at Anfield, where he slows people down and then bursts. I remember Torres doing that to Rio [Ferdinand] a couple of times, where he slowed him down and then bang, gone with the pace, outside the right foot. It reminded me of him.”
Ekitike is in outstanding form
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Many have made the same comparison as Crouch in likening the Frenchman to Fernando Torres, but it could be argued that the 23-year-old is already a more rounded player.
Ekitike can hold the ball up, make runs in behind with his space and dribble past defenders. He already has 15 goals in his first 32 appearances for the Reds, but he possesses the potential to become even better in the future.
Liverpool’s record against City at home
Arne Slot’s men won the corresponding fixture 2-0 last season. Pep Guardiola’s side have only won once at Anfield since 2003, and that was during the COVID season in 2020/2021.
For that reason, the Reds will be confident of getting a result this weekend, especially after their opponents showed their defensive vulnerabilities at Spurs last Sunday. They conceded 2 goals in the second half after being 2 goals up.
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