Ekitike Double Inspires Liverpool to Commanding Victory Over Newcastle
Liverpool delivered a dominant performance at Anfield on Saturday evening, securing a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Newcastle United in the Premier League. The match was defined by a sensational two-minute brace from striker Hugo Ekitike, a player who was heavily pursued by Newcastle during the summer transfer window.
Rapid Fire Double Turns the Tide
The visitors had taken a surprise lead in the 36th minute through Anthony Gordon, who produced a clinical finish past Alisson to give Newcastle hope of a memorable away result. However, their advantage proved to be short-lived thanks to the intervention of Ekitike.
Just before half-time, the French forward levelled the scores with a composed finish from inside the penalty area. The goal was created by the dazzling footwork of Florian Wirtz, who danced through a crowd of Newcastle defenders before providing the perfect assist.
Ekitike then completed a remarkable personal turnaround just two minutes later, producing a clever finish with the outside of his boot to give Liverpool a lead they would never relinquish. His quickfire double took his Premier League goal tally into double figures for the season.
Wirtz Shines as Liverpool Extend Advantage
German playmaker Florian Wirtz, who has been growing in influence after a challenging start to his Liverpool career, then got the goal his performance deserved in the second half. After combining neatly with Mohamed Salah, Wirtz found the net for his sixth goal in eleven appearances, effectively putting the game beyond Newcastle's reach.
Defender Ibrahima Konaté added a late fourth goal with a simple tap-in to complete the scoring and ensure Liverpool finished a positive week in emphatic fashion. The victory followed their 3-0 Champions League win against Marseille in midweek and helped erase the memory of last weekend's disappointing defeat at Bournemouth.
Newcastle's European Hopes Suffer Setback
For Eddie Howe's Newcastle side, this defeat represents a significant setback in their pursuit of European qualification. Had they secured victory at Anfield, they would have moved level on points with Liverpool in the Premier League table.
Instead, they now find themselves six points adrift of the Reds with several other teams positioned between them and the coveted top six positions. The manner of the defeat, particularly the contribution from a player they had tried to sign, will add to the frustration for the travelling supporters.
Salah's Steady Return Continues
Mohamed Salah, while not yet back to his explosive best following his return from the Africa Cup of Nations, registered his third assist in as many Premier League appearances. The Egyptian forward appears to be gradually building his match sharpness and was seen playing with a smile on his face throughout the contest.
Respite for Slot After Challenging Period
The victory provides welcome relief for Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who has endured a difficult few months following the euphoria of winning the Premier League in his debut season. Back-to-back victories this week have eased some of the mounting pressure on the Dutch tactician, whose team remain in contention for silverware in his second campaign at the helm.
For Liverpool, this performance demonstrated their attacking firepower even without record signing Alexander Isak, who remains sidelined with a broken leg. Ekitike's emergence as a reliable goalscorer has been one of the stories of their season, and his contribution against one of his former suitors will be particularly satisfying for the Anfield faithful.
