Ekitiké brace and Wirtz strike see Liverpool beat Newcastle at Anfield

Hugo Ekitiké scored twice as Liverpool came from behind to beat Newcastle at Anfield, Florian Wirtz added a third and Ibrahima Konaté completed the win after Nick Pope’s error; Konaté was playing for the first time since the death of his father and was in tears. Newcastle were the dominant side for much of the first half and took the lead when Joe Willock surged down the left and found Harvey Barnes, with Alexis Mac Allister’s challenge diverting the ball into the path of Anthony Gordon, who slotted a low shot past Alisson; it was Gordon’s first Premier League goal from open play in 12 months.

Liverpool’s turnaround began when, after Ryan Gravenberch turned the ball into his path, Wirtz slalomed through the Newcastle defence and squared for Ekitiké to poke home. Two minutes later Ekitiké collected a Kerkez ball on the left, ran at goal and drilled a finish for his 10th league goal of the campaign, which was also Liverpool’s 100th at Anfield under Arne Slot, the century arriving in 46 games.

After the break Liverpool grew in confidence. Ekitiké nearly had a hat-trick following a slip by Dan Burn, and a poor clearance by Malick Thiaw allowed Wirtz to break clear, find Mohamed Salah and then finish from the return pass. In stoppage time Konaté prodded home after Pope spilled a Dominik Szoboszlai corner.

The report notes Liverpool’s initial outlay of £69m for Ekitiké, rising to £79m, and says that fee is proving money well spent.

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