Hugo Ekitike reveals truth about Florian Wirtz relationship as Liverpool reaps rewards

The pair came off the bench against Barnsley on Monday and combined with devastating effect. With no Alexander Isak or Mohamed Salah, Liverpool has become dependent on the summer signings for goal contributions

Hugo Ekitike spoke about his on-field relationship with Florian Wirtz(Image: )

Hugo Ekitike has said he and Florian Wirtz “speak the same language of football”, as the pair’s on-field relationship continues to blossom.

The duo have provided the majority of Liverpool’s attacking thrust in recent weeks. Ekitike has registered eight goal contributions in the last six matches, while Wirtz, who failed to score in his first 22 matches for the Reds, has now netted three in five games.

The Liverpool stars combined devastatingly on Monday as the Premier League champions eliminated Barnsley from the FA Cup. Both came off the bench with 30 minutes remaining and set each other up to score late goals in the third-round victory.

That on-field connection has developed throughout the season, although the Reds’ first goal of the campaign came as Wirtz teed up Ekitike at Wembley in the Community Shield.

But particularly in recent weeks, with Alexander Isak and Mohamed Salah unavailable, the pair’s partnership has noticeably deepened.

Having arrived together from the Bundesliga last summer, Ekitike was well aware of the talent that Wirtz possessed, and he is delighted to share a pitch with the former Bayer Leverkusen man.

Wirtz provided the assist for Ekitike in Liverpool's first game of the season(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

“Obviously, Flo, I was watching… when I was talking about a beautiful player, to watch like, it's one of them,” the forward told Sky Sports.

“I played against him in Germany but he is someone I was watching his game because I just love the way he played.

“It was like someone who smells football; it is a really good, footballer and obviously, I think we speak the same language of football.

Ekitike and Wirtz combined for two goals against Barnsley(Image: AFP or licensors)

“We just needed time to play with each other to become even stronger. The same language, it's really nice to share the pitch with that kind of player.

“Obviously, if we talk about the last game we came on and we had an goal and assist for each other,” he added. “But you know how football is, if the next two games they don't give me assist, then I don't give him assist [people will start talking].”

Asked whether he feels the team is beginning to play more cohesively after the plethora of summer signings, Ekitike replied: “I think in general, yeah, we're doing better because we know each other more.

“I think it's someone I like to play [with] and I hope like we are going to keep doing what we're doing and just score a lot of goals and assist for the club.”