Hugo Ekitike earns praise for show of character in tunnel before Liverpool game

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Hugo Ekitike showed his class prior to Liverpool's meeting with Wolves in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Friday as he interacted with the home team's mascots at Molineux

Hugo Ekitike on the bench during Liverpool's FA Cup game at Wolves(Image: 2026 Simon Stacpoole/Offside)

Hugo Ekitike received plaudits for his pre-game interaction with Wolves' mascots ahead of Liverpool's FA Cup win at Molineux.

The French striker did not play in the FA Cup clash, but he made a big impression off the pitch as he signed autographs for a host of youngsters prior to kick-off. Ekitike received praise on social media for the gesture, with one X user writing: "A great gesture, not too hard really for All players to do it, it makes the youngsters day/night and creates memories."

Another said: "Lots to like: Kids polite & genuinely happy to see a player (even from the other team) sign their books; Wolves allowing Ekitike to sign the books for the Wolves mascots; Ekitike taking time to sign the books for the mascots even though they are not Liverpool’s; Well done all."

Ekitike was afforded a rare day off against Wolves, having led the line consistently since Alexander Isak's leg-break in December.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot was pleased to be able to give the Frenchman a night off as he expressed his delight at having a wider selection of players to choose from.

“It's nice to have players available again not only 12, 13, 14," Slot said, after selecting Cody Gakpo through the middle and handing Rio Ngumoha a rare start at Molineux.

"I don't think I have said anything at all about that, but now we have them back, maybe I can say something...

"These same players constantly had to play every three days and that sometimes impacts performances.

“As you see everywhere in Premier League sides who have to play every three days, you see rotation but I was not always able.

"The fact these players had to play so much, a lot and could not always bring their best performance makes sense to me then.

"It's good that we could rotate a little bit more with players coming back and players who came in doing really makes it easier for me to rotate, but to impact the game off the bench.”

Ekitike has had a brilliant debut campaign at Liverpool.

He's scored 16 goals in 38 appearances in all competitions since joining the Reds from Frankfurt last summer.

The France international was expected to play second fiddle to Isak, but has emerged as Liverpool's most dependable attacker this season.