Hugo Ekitike may not match Haaland's goals but offers a fuller game

With Liverpool 1-0 down at half-time to Newcastle, Hugo Ekitike changed the game in 138 seconds. His first was a near-post finish from Florian Wirtz’s cutback; the second came after he latched onto Milos Kerkez’s long pass, stood up Malick Thiaw and toe-poked the ball past Nick Pope.

Steven Gerrard likened the slim, quick Frenchman to Fernando Torres, praising his pace and finishing in the channels. Surprisingly, Ekitike has been in better form than Erling Haaland going into Manchester City’s meeting with Liverpool. Haaland began the season explosively but has since gone seven matches without a non‑penalty goal after a run that took him to 19 in 17 outings; he has acknowledged missing chances, while Pep Guardiola stressed the striker’s value and ability to score in the long term.

Ekitike’s rise has pushed Alexander Isak down the pecking order.