Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike delivered a standout performance on 31/1 at Anfield, scoring two goals to inspire a 4-1 comeback victory against Newcastle in the Premier League. The French forward's decisive contribution prompted Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard to draw comparisons between Ekitike and former Reds striker Fernando Torres.

Ekitike's impact began in the 41st minute when he finished from close range after a cross from Florian Wirtz, leveling the score at 1-1. Just three minutes later, he completed his brace with a burst of pace and a precise toe-poke shot into the far corner, extending Liverpool's lead to 2-1.

Gerrard, speaking on TNT Sports, highlighted the similarities. "'Very similar to Torres. Ekitike just needs to push the ball away from his feet and finish with a toe-poke,' Gerrard commented. 'Every time I watch Ekitike play, I see Torres. He scores similar goals: if there's space on the flank, he will sprint, so fast he's unstoppable and extremely dangerous.'" He further emphasized: "There are many similarities: speed, strength, and the ability to score goals and provide assists."

Hugo Ekitike scores with a toe-poke in Liverpool's 4-1 victory over Newcastle in Premier League round 24 at Anfield, Liverpool, England on 31/1/2026. *Photo: Liverpool FC*

Despite the high praise, Ekitike remained humble about being compared to Torres. 'Honestly, when I was young, I couldn't watch the Premier League because my mother didn't subscribe to paid television,' he revealed. 'I only watched a few clips on YouTube. I will never put myself on par with Torres. He was an extraordinary player. If I can reach that level, it would be great, but I have to keep working hard.'

Fernando Torres, a former Spanish international, formed a formidable partnership with Gerrard during his time at Liverpool. He scored 65 goals in 102 matches before his controversial transfer to Chelsea.

With Alexander Isak sidelined long-term due to a broken leg, the goal-scoring burden has fallen on Ekitike. The French forward is demonstrating his readiness for this role, having already scored 14 goals across all competitions for Liverpool since his 106 million USD transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt.

When asked about his goal-scoring targets for the season, Ekitike stated: 'I want to score many goals, and of course, I want to be the team's number one striker. But I don't set a specific number. The most important thing is to help the team win. I also enjoy assisting, especially for Wirtz.'

Coach Arne Slot also praised Ekitike, noting the forward's performance against Newcastle – a club that had intensely pursued him during the summer 2025 transfer window. Slot remarked: "'From the beginning, everyone could see how special he is and how impressive his speed is,' said the Dutch coach. 'The second goal was clear proof: Ekitike faced and beat his opponent on the outside flank, which is not easy. But what I'm most pleased about is his biggest improvement lies in his defensive support and work rate off the ball.'"

Hong Duy (via Daily Mail)