Hugo Ekitike gives honest Newcastle verdict after failed summer transfer - 'I don’t care'

The striker was close to joining Newcastle last year, but instead opted to sign for the Premier League champions. He discussed that near move and his goalscoring exploits after the Champions League win over Qarabag

Hugo Ekitike has said he does not care about what reception he will receive from the Newcastle fans at Anfield on Saturday

Little phases Hugo Ekitike. The Liverpool striker proved that again on Wednesday at Anfield, as he managed to twice flick the ball past a flailing Qarabag center-back and, after running almost an entire half of the pitch, nonchalantly finished beyond the goalkeeper.

It was arguably the pick of the bunch as the Reds ran out emphatic winners at Anfield. A 6-0 Champions League victory was the perfect tonic to Saturday’s woeful trip to Bournemouth, as Liverpool secured its place in the Champions League last-16 and a reduced February fixture schedule.

As has often been the case this season, Ekitike was at the heart of Liverpool’s best attacking moves. Afforded the time and space that is so often absent in the Premier League, the 23-year-old once again demonstrated the qualities that convinced Liverpool to part with up to £79 million ($106M) for his services last summer.

That fee didn’t worry Ekitike, nor did the competition with Alexander Isak, the demands for immediate success from supporters, and the frustration that has arisen from the Reds’ underwhelming campaign.

In fact, stopping in the mixed zone after his starring role against Qarabag, you’d be forgiven for thinking he’d just returned from a leisurely walk around Stanley Park.

“It's the kind of game when I backed myself to score,” he reflected. “I just try to go through my action and put the ball in the net and that's what I did.

“They left a lot of space and I like a lot of space as I can use my pace and that's what I did. I try to be calm always in front of goal because I could miss. That's a good thing and I want to keep scoring goals for the team.”

Hugo Ekitike was excellent in the win over Qarabag, scoring a goal and providing an assist for Florian Wirtz

That goal moved Ekitike on to 13 for the season, but the former Eintracht Frankfurt man doesn’t have a target in mind. He scrunched his face when asked. “Not really,” he casually explained with a shrug.

“I want to make my team win, that's the most important. Hopefully, I will score a good amount of goals but I don't really even think about this.

“I want to play good and help the team because I know sometimes I know I'm not going to score but I can give assists or make runs and someone else will score. Obviously, I'm a striker so I need to score goals, but I need to do a lot of stuff to help the team.”

On his own performances this season, Ekitike added: “I would say good. Obviously, I could do better, I could do worse. I'm pretty happy.”

Ekitike and Isak have yet to establish a strong partnership at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Of course, it could have all been so very different had Liverpool not acted decisively last summer when Ekitike began talking to Newcastle United regarding a possible switch to the North East.

Having rejected the Magpies twice before, the forward looked poised to join in July, with hopes he could partner Isak up front at St. James’ Park. That didn’t quite go to plan, of course.

“Obviously, we were close, but I made my choice. I knew where I wanted to come, so that's all I can give to you,” he admitted ahead of Saturday’s clash against Newcastle.

Unsurprisingly, the prospect of a hostile reception from the away section at Anfield is of no particular concern.

Ekitike has made an immediate start to his new life at Liverpool

“I don't care. I play for Liverpool. I have my fans here. We played there already [this season] and won so hopefully we will have a great week of working. I don't care about this, I just want to play and help the team. Simple.”

Ekitike may cut the coolest figure at Anfield, but supporters inside the ground have rarely looked at ease. They are desperate to see a return to winning ways in the Premier League, something that has been amiss since the turn of the year.

Four points from the last five has allowed teams like Newcastle to reel the champions in, and Eddie Howe’s side will likely be among the biggest competitors for a Champions League place during the final months of the campaign.

“Obviously, when you see the last game in Bournemouth [it’s important to kick on], but what I can say is everyone gave 100 percent of themselves,” said Ekitike.

“Like every team, we have to go through something but we stick together and hopefully it will go better. We have the quality, I really believe things will go well.”