Liverpool should not have needed to rely on the VAR to grant them a goal during Sunday’s narrow victory over Nottingham Forest.
The Reds had the ball in the net twice during stoppage-time at the City Ground, with the video officials ruling out and then allowing one each of Alexis Mac Allister’s efforts.
Before his first goal was adjudged to have come off his elbow and was subsequently disallowed, though, Hugo Ekitike had a golden opportunity to remove any and all doubt.
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Mohamed Salah shakes Arne Slot's hand as he comes off during Liverpool's Premier League match against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground (Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC).
Photo Creidt; Getty Images/Liverpool FC
The ball was planted perfectly on the Frenchman’s head by Rio Ngumoha, with a simple finish required from mere yards out.
However, instead of nodding it back where it came from, Ekitike helped the ball on, forcing a good save from Stefan Ortega. It was a big moment for the 23-year-old and it simply should have been a goal. That it wasn’t should be cause for concern at Liverpool.
Van Dijk says Ekitike should have scored vs Forest
After a quiet match all around, this header at the death should have been the moment for Ekitike. You need your striker to be stepping up in that scenario.
That he didn’t means the No. 22 has now gone four appearances without a goal for Liverpool, and that is starting to become a worry.
Hugo Ekitike celebrates with Alexis Mac Allister after he scores for Liverpool against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP via Getty Images
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“I don’t think we created real clear-cut chances but obviously Hugo’s was massive, he should have scored,” captain Virgil van Dijk told LFCTV after the game.
After Mac Allister’s follow-up was then ruled out, it had looked like Ekitike’s miss was going to cost Liverpool two big points.
That it did not was only thanks to the tenacity of Van Dijk himself, as well as Mac Allister.
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rIO nGUMOHA PLAYING FOR lIVERPOOL VS nOTTINGHAM FOREST
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Liverpool are really missing Alexander Isak
However this season ends up, Ekitike has been nothing other than a big hit in his debut year with Liverpool.
Having said that, he has gone on stretches of not scoring several times now, and it is very clear that he is not the finished article.
All these kinds of performances do is reinforce the fact that Liverpool were absolutely right to sign Alexander Isak alongside the France international last summer.
It is difficult to see Isak passing up such opportunities, and the Reds really could do with having him back as soon as possible.
Ekitike will surely become more consistent with his finishing and create a deadly duo with the Swede, but while the No. 9 remains missing, he needs to step up when these chances come his way.
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