There was plenty to analyse from Liverpool’s opening Premier League match of the season after a rollercoaster affair against Bournemouth.
The Reds had looked to be coasting to a first win of the season, but the Cherries roared back to highlight some weaknesses in Arne Slot’s team.
But although Liverpool’s vulnerabilities were exposed by Bournemouth at times, the positives still far outweighed the negatives for Slot.
Perhaps the biggest of all of the good points was the performance of Hugo Ekitike.
After scoring on his official Liverpool debut in the Community Shield last Sunday, Ekitike made an instant impact in the Premier League, bagging himself a goal and an assist.
It was an impressive display from the Frenchman, and it even caught the eye of a certain Premier League legend who is not often in the business of praising Liverpool: Wayne Rooney.
Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Wayne Rooney impressed by Hugo Ekitike variation
Given his status as a legendary figure at both Everton and, especially, Manchester United, Rooney is not a fan of Liverpool.
Nevertheless, in his work as a pundit, the Scouser aims to be a little more neutral in his assessments.
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And that came to the fore on Saturday night, when Rooney picked out Ekitike for praise on the first BBC Match of the Day of the season.
“I thought he had a really good game, and obviously involved in the first two goals,” he said. “But what I really liked about his game is he came short at times, he ran in behind then came short. He was getting in the box, he wants to get on the end of crosses.”
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“[He played a] good pass out wide, first thought, get to the box. Salah has a shot, doesn’t cross it but he’s making the right movement.
“This one [the assist for Cody Gakpo], good composure, makes the opponent run, holds the ball up well, he’s got the composure to see his teammate, lovely weight of pass for Gakpo. Really calm and composed.
“It was a very good debut for him, and involved in two goals.”
Ekitike set for big Liverpool test
Fascinatingly, Ekitike followed in the footsteps of Darwin Nunez with his goal and assist for Liverpool on Friday.
The only other player to achieve that feat on a Premier League debut for the Reds was Nunez.
Given what happened next with the Uruguayan, Liverpool fans should hold off before declaring Ekitike’s signing as a complete success.
The Reds have big games to come against Newcastle and then Arsenal. Those will be a big early test of the Frenchman’s mettle.
Should he come through those matches with more goals to his name, though, supporters will certainly be starting to believe that Ekitike can be something special.