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Liverpool fans were left suitably impressed by Hugo Ekitike’s first appearance at Anfield, with one aspect of his performance in particular proving to be a big hit.
The striker made his first appearance at his new home following his transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt as he started Liverpool’s 3-2 win over Athletic Club, which came just after a younger Reds side beat the Bilbao club 4-1.
Although he didn’t get on the scoresheet, Ekitike still found a way to make a big impact as he assisted Mohamed Salah for the opening goal of the game, showing his pace to get ahead of his man before pulling the ball back into the penalty area and presenting his teammate with the simplest of finishes.
The manner in which he began his run in the build-up to the goal especially impressed Liverpool fans, with the Frenchman ensuring he stayed onside.
That might seem like a simple enough thing to do for a striker, although it has proven to be a regular frustration with Darwin Nunez over the last few years, with the Uruguayan frequently getting caught offside. Seeing Ekitike not fall into the same trap left plenty of supporters more than a little relieved on social media.
“Ekitike played 70+ minutes and didn’t get called for offside once, I used to pray for times like this…” one fan wrote.
“Ekitike plays 70 mins and not one single offside… I loved it,” another added.
“Ekitike understands the offside rule. Instant upgrade,” was another view.
“Love that from Ekitike. Really direct as soon as he got the ball and crucially, picked out the right pass to Salah at the key moment. Best of all, seems he knows the offside rule,” wrote another supporter.
Ekitike would go on to receive a rapturous reception when he was replaced in the second half, with one eye no doubt firmly on Sunday’s Community Shield clash against Crystal Palace on Sunday, with the Premier League season kicking off five days later against Bournemouth.
“I enjoyed it a lot, it was such a good atmosphere for a first game for me,” Ekitike told LFCTV after the game. “I feel proud, and I just wish that I will play so many games in this stadium because it is amazing.
“Obviously, I’m here now for more than a week, so I’m stilly trying to find a connection with the others, in the last passes and even before.
“But I enjoy playing with them, I will tell you from the pitch they are good guys also, so I take pleasure to play with them.
“We have some little things to fix, to get better, and I could do better today, but I really enjoy playing with them, and I’m sure we’re going to make really good things this season.”
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