Forget Alexander Isak: **Liverpool**have a wiry, electric forward with the skills to pay the bills. Hugo Ekitiké broke the deadlock for the second time in under a week with the opener at **Anfield**against Bournemouth. He earned 'Player of the Match' for a decisive display and is living out his "dream."
‘It’s different football, more intensity’
Ekitiké is eager to demand more from himself. But he was happy to get off to a winning start in the Premier League and mark an emotional evening with a triumph to honour the passing of a player.
“I have so many things to do better to help the team as much as I can. I can do a lot of things and I think I would get better and do even more for this team.
*“Obviously I think it was a good performance. I could do better. But the most important was the win and the mentality we showed. We wanted to win for people who came tonight and for Diogo Jota.”*
The Frenchman found the back of the net in under four minutes against Crystal Palace in the Community Shield. He had to wait to open his account at Anfield, but it was worthwhile.
He came short to show for the ball, then broke free from **Bafode Diakite**and sensed he could attack the goal with a pass from Alexis Mac Allister. His first touch towards the goal bounced off Marco Senesi, but the rest of the work involved a level of composure to stay calm and slot a shot into the net.
“I attracted the defender, I came to link up and I was a bit lucky with the touch, the ball came back to me. At the end it’s an easy goal but I have to stay calm in front of the goal and just do my job.”
The 23-year-old offers much more than goals. He is agile, strong for a slender frame, quick over the ground, and full of flicks and tricks, assisting **Cody Gakpo**for the second strike of the encounter.
“I try to think before the defenders and read the game. To know what the other players around me are going to do. I knew the defenders like press me so I know at my back or on the side I will have space. I attracted him and I knew Cody will be there. He’s really good when he comes in with his right foot.”
Some observers worried whether Ekitiké would have the physical edge to adapt to the pace and power of English football. He showed his strength on the transition in a front two with Omar Marmoush for Eintracht Frankfurt, but he knows that he has to step up the levels to lead the line in Merseyside.
“I think it’s natural. I changed my way to play because I think it’s different football, more intensity. The defenders are stronger and we have tight space. I had much more space in Germany. That’s why I try to come, link and go, try to run behind. But we have to find the way to succeed with the details.”
The forward felt that the chance to play at an iconic ground like **Anfield**was one of the pulls to sign for £69 million this summer. Again, he did not see out the full ninety minutes, finishing on the bench.
But a front row seat to see the supporters in the stadium was a spectacle that he will never forget. It gives him even more motivation to make electric contributions in the future to amp up the energy.
“It’s a dream. I always dreamed to play here in the Premier League so I just enjoy every minute. It’s an amazing stadium. The fans at the end when it was at 2-2, they pushed so much. Even on the bench, I enjoyed it. I wanted to be in the crowd! It’s amazing. It’s the first game, we have so much to do.”