Hugo Ekitike was the man of the moment on Saturday as he drove Liverpool on to a big win over Newcastle United.
The Frenchman has arguably been the Reds’ best player all season and he single-handedly turned the tide of what had been a tetchy start against the Magpies.
Had things been different, Ekitike could actually have been playing for Newcastle this season after the Toon pushed to sign him in July.
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Thankfully, the 23-year-old held out for his move to Liverpool and has proved to be a thorn in Eddie Howe’s side ever since.
After scoring at St James’ Park in August, his double on Saturday made it three goals in two games against them. And with Newcastle supporters keen to target him for some stick at Anfield, Ekitike was spotted ‘giving it back’ in a brilliant way.
Hugo Ekitike reminds Newcastle fans of the score
Ekitike has won Liverpool fans over for his personality as much as his performances on the pitch since arriving from Eintracht Frankfurt.
The France international is clearly very passionate about the Reds despite only just joining and has bought into the club completely and totally.
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That was evident during the Newcastle game, as he teased the away end as he walked to the bench having been substituted by Arne Slot in the second-half.
“Ekitike giving a bit back to the Newcastle fans as he walks past them,” journalist James Pearce reported on X.
Cameras picked up the Liverpool No. 22 as he cupped his ear, stuck his tongue out and finally signalled a ‘3-1′ scoreline with his hands towards the Magpies’ faithful.
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Steven Gerrard reacts to Ekitike ‘banter’
Ekitike was interviewed by TNT Sports after the match, with Steven Gerrard clearly a very big fan.
Asked to comment on his winding up of the Newcastle supporters at Anfield, the former Liverpool captain said Ekitike was well within his rights to respond to ‘banter’ from the stands.
“Just a bit of banter,” Gerrard said. “The players take enough stick from the stands, this is just rubbing it in a bit.
“He was linked with them wasn’t he. Thankfully Liverpool got him.”
How different things could have been if Ekitike had made a different decision. Instead, the Newcastle fans have put a target on their back for the Frenchman, and he doesn’t look like he’ll forget it any time soon.
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