For the second successive weekend, the \u00a379million ($107m) summer signing from Eintracht Frankfurt<\/a> had scored twice in a Premier League game.<\/p>\n At Elland Road the previous Saturday, the 23-year-old was denied the recognition that should have come with his eye-catching contribution against Leeds United because Liverpool imploded defensively in the game\u2019s final quarter, blowing a 2-0 lead to draw 3-3 at the cost of two points.<\/p>\n But that was not the case against Brighton, as Liverpool preserved their advantage to win 2-0. He soaked in the adulation of the Kop, whose song in Ekitike\u2019s honour \u2014 to the tune of \u2018Do The Conga\u2019 by British pop band Black Lace \u2014 has already become a matchday favourite.<\/p>\n His numbers are impressive. Only Daniel Sturridge (eight) has scored more goals in his first 10 Premier League starts for Liverpool than Ekitike\u2019s seven. Salah also managed seven, just above Robbie Fowler and Sadio Mane (both six). That\u2019s some illustrious company.<\/p>\n With 10 goals in his 23 appearances for the club in all competitions, Ekitike is the first Liverpool player to reach double figures quicker than Salah (who has five) in a season since Mane managed it in the title-winning campaign of 2019-20.<\/p>\n Ekitike has showcased a ruthless streak, with his seven league goals coming from an xG (expected goals) figure of 4.4, and a shot conversion rate of 23 per cent. Among top-flight players who have clocked up at least 500 minutes of game time this season, only Erling Haaland of Manchester City boasts a better rate of non-penalty goals per 90 minutes than his 0.72.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a trait that\u2019s not lost on his new team-mates. \u201cHe\u2019s very clinical,\u201d Liverpool captain and centre-back Virgil van Dijk told reporters after Saturday\u2019s match. \u201cHe\u2019s important with his goals and also the hard work that he puts in. He wants more from himself, and we all want a lot from him.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not been an easy season, but for him to come in and produce these numbers is excellent. It\u2019s something we need. He just has to stay calm and keep working.\u201d<\/p>\n The dynamic was always going to be intriguing when Ekitike\u2019s arrival in July was followed by Liverpool breaking the British transfer record to sign fellow striker Alexander Isak from Newcastle United for \u00a3125million on deadline day at the start of September.<\/p>\n Slot has repeatedly insisted that having two elite No 9s in his squad is a blessing, especially given his determination to rotate and rest players more often this season than in his 2024-25 title-winning debut campaign. However, big reputations and hefty price tags come with an expectation of game time, with no clear pecking order in place.<\/p>\n Ekitike was able to stake his claim before Isak could in the early stages of the season, as the Sweden international, 26, needed to build up his fitness levels following a summer of strike action to help force through the move to Anfield.<\/p>\n \n Ekitike scores his second goal of the match against Brighton (Paul Ellis\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hugo_ekitike_2025-26_all_shots.png\")
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