Hugo Ekitike was Liverpool’s most decisive player against West Ham United as he registered a goal and two assists during the Reds’ 5-2 win.
Having gone four matches without scoring, it took the Frenchman only five minutes of Saturday’s game to find the net, catching Mads Hermansen off guard with a well-struck low effort.
The finish made it 16 goals for Ekitike in his debut season with Liverpool, and he later set up both Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo to reach six further assists.
Change my mind: Frimpong is now Liverpool’s best right winger
He did more in 13 minutes vs West Ham than Salah did all game 😶
Jeremie Frimpong celebrates after forcing an own goal during Liverpool's Premier League win over West Ham United at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Dan Mullan).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Dan Mullan
But despite closing in towards 20 goals at the first time of asking, Ekitike has still missed some big chances this season. And while speaking to LFCTV after the match, the 23-year-old admitted that he was not as happy as he could be with his current tally.
Ekitike wants to score more goals
Although 11 Premier League goals by March is not bad going for a young striker during his first season in England, it is unquestionable that Ekitike could have scored more.
His heading has been a particularly noteworthy issue, and he missed big chances against Man City, Sunderland and Nottingham Forest.
Perhaps that is why Ekitike cut a surprisingly frustrated figure when told he is doing a great job in front of goal for Liverpool.
Liverpool v West Ham United - Premier League
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
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“To be honest, I could score more. I’m not that happy,” he said. “It’s not even goals, it’s assists as well. Today I think I gave one or two assists, I don’t remember. As long as I can help the team and be involved that’s the most important. I want to win, so personally I’m happy, but I’m looking forward to the upcoming games.”
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Praised for his attitude by reporter Peter McDowell, Ekitike went on to claim he wants to be ‘the best version of himself’ at all times for Liverpool.
“Obviously I can improve, I could score in the last games, I had chances,” he said. “I have to keep working. I want to be the best version of myself to help the team more because I know I can. But it’s always about lessons and getting better, so I will try in the coming games to be even better, to score more and be involved more.”
Did anyone actually deserve man of the match against West Ham? 😆
If so, who was it?
Alexis Mac Allister during Liverpool v West Ham United - Premier League
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Analysis: Ekitike should have already hit 20 goals
When Liverpool were looking into signing Ekitike last summer, supporters online were rife with talk about the former Eintracht striker underperforming his expected goals numbers.
While it looked like a legitimate concern at the time, Ekitike has actually overperformed in the Premier League for the Reds. He has 11 goals from an xG of 9.51.
Although that looks good on paper, it is actually a case of Ekitike scoring low-value chances but fluffing the ones he really should be taking.
Even on Saturday, though he was denied by an excellent block from Konstantinos Mavropanos, Liverpool’s No. 22 really should have had a second goal. He did the hard part in selling a dummy to the Hammers defender, before being a little too casual with the follow-up shot.
These kinks to his finishing will hopefully be ironed out as Ekitike matures and improves, but when all is said and done, he could easily have surpassed the 20 mark already this season. Still, he is well on the way and that is something to celebrate.
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