3 days ago
7
The two summer signings were excellent as the Reds returned to fifth place in the Premier League. Both were on target in the 3-1 win, while Ryan Gravenberch was also superb.
Hugo Ekitike was among Liverpool's star performers against Liverpool
Liverpool returned to winning ways in the Premier League on Saturday as it beat Newcastle United 4-1 at home.
Liverpool started slowly, and deservedly fell behind to a bullet Anthony Gordon strike that nestled in Alisson's bottom corner.
But it seemed to spur the Reds on, and Arne Slot's side went into half-time in the lead via two Hugo Ekitike goals. The first, he latched onto an excellent Florian Wirtz pass in the box, and poked it home from close range. The second was all of his own making, as the striker collected a ball from deep, flew down the wing and then squeezed a strike past Nick Pope.
Wirtz has discovered his goalscoring touch of late and he netted after the break to all but take the game away from Newcastle. After controlling Mohamed Salah's well-weighted pass, the former Bayer Leverkusen star finished low and hard.
Winners
Against the side he nearly joined last summer, Ekitike enjoyed himself at Anfield. He celebrated with real vigour at the end of what had been a frustrating first half, while his second goal was outstanding.
Losers
This was another reminder of how good Liverpool can be when it moves the ball quickly, perhaps a skill that is missing in Curtis Jones, who watched on from the bench. Meanwhile, on a night originally billed as the 'Alexander Isak derby', Eddie Howe's choice to start without a recognized no.9 tells its own story of how Newcastle has struggled since losing its key man.
Player ratings
Alisson (7). Was caught by a dangerous tackle from Gordon early on, and made a good save to deny the attacker late in the first half. He claimed several corners, but was rarely tested.
Dominik Szoboszlai (7). Slotted in at right-back and looked solid. The Hungarian gave little away defensively and provided some incisive passes forward. It was his long ball that set Mohamed Salah free in the 19th minute.
Ibrahima Konate (8). Back in the team after three games out, the center-back defended well and made some good contributions at the back, but he was caught out of position on a few occasions and his passing was mixed.
Virgil van Dijk (6). Not at is best, but there were no notable mistakes from the center-back unlike last week at Bournemouth.
Milos Kerkez (7). Grew into the game after a sluggish start. Didn't close down Gordon as he shot from the edge of the area, which resulted in the opening goal, but his long pass set up Ekitike's second goal. The left-back carried a threat in the advanced areas courtesy of his buccaneering runs.
Ryan Gravenberch (8). Was involved in most of Liverpool's best passing sequences and played a pivotal role for Ekitike's first of the night. This was the midfielder back to his impressive early-season form, as he linked the play, drove forward on the ball and thundered into tackles.
Alexis Mac Allister (6). Involved in a coming together with Gordon early on, which left the midfielder crumpled on the ground but drew no cards. Another who started slowly and grew into the game, and his speed in possession helped Liverpool launch several attacks.
Mohamed Salah (6). A mixed bag from Liverpool's no.11. He fluffed his lines when given the chance to bear down on goal and shoot midway through the first half. Instead, he cut back, was tackled and lost possession, in what's a clear indication of Salah's confidence crisis. Salah was wasteful n the ball and gave it away too often, but he then provided the assist for Wirtz in the second half.
Florian Wirtz (8). Somehow carved a chance out of nothing as he wiggled and jinked his way through the box in the 41st minute, to set up Liverpool's opener. He then got his name on the scoresheet again as he perfectly placed a shot beyond Nick Pope in the second half.
Cody Gakpo (6). A direct run through the heart of Newcastle spurred Liverpool into life in the 15th minute. But overall he offered little in terms of terms of decisive moments.
Hugo Ekitike (8). Outstanding from the Frenchman, who netted twice in the first half and went close on three other occasions. This was another reminder of the striker's supreme talent, and he thrived against a side that afforded him more space on the ball. He bullied the Newcastle defense and impressed with his ability to carry the ball.
Substitutes
Curtis Jones (N/A), Federico Chiesa (N/A).
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