Liverpool sporting director, Richard Hughes, justified the £450 million ($606m) summer spend which saw two club records shattered, and a squad reshaped with some of Europe’s hottest talents. Alexander Isak arrived for a record £125m ($168m) breaking the club’s transfer ceiling, whereas Florian Wirtz joined in a deal worth £100m, potentially rising to £116m ($156m).
Liverpool's £125 million recruit was outshone by his fellow forward as the Reds claimed a 2-1 win over Everton in the Merseyside derby. Alexander Isak had to make do with a spot on the bench and, for the time being, he may have to play second fiddle to the on-fire Hugo Ekitike, who found the back of the net once again.
Hugo Ekitike has been slammed for his "dumb" red card in Liverpool's 2-1 Carabao Cup win over Southampton. The France striker, who was already on a yellow card, came off the bench to score a late winner for the Reds but picked up a second booking for taking his shirt off in celebration. Now, the ex-Eintracht Frankfurt man has been torn apart on social media.
Hugo Ekitike is reportedly set to be fined two weeks' wages by Liverpool manager Arne Slot after getting sent off against Southampton in their 2-1 Carabao Cup win. The Frenchman came off the bench to score the winner but he was soon walking down the tunnel after picking up a second yellow for taking off his shirt in celebration.
Hugo Ekitike has not been fined by Liverpool for a "stupid" red card as Arne Slot claimed that the striker is "allowed to make a mistake". The French forward, who came off the bench to score the decisive goal in Tuesday's 2-1 win against Southampton, was sent off just moments after taking off his shirt in celebration, earning a second booking having already picked up a yellow card.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been praised for his 'perfect' handling of Hugo Ekitike's red card blunder against Sunderland in the Carabao Cup. The French striker opened his shirt, while celebrating a last-gasp winner which led to the referee showing him his second yellow card of the night resulting in his sending off. Slot later openly slammed Ekitike for his "stupid" behaviour.
Liverpool are desperate to add a new No.9 to their squad ahead of the new season, but will have to look elsewhere now that Alexander Isak no longer seems to be an option
Eintracht Frankfurt have earned a sterling reputation for developing players from the promising bracket to top-class and selling them on for significant profit in recent years, particularly in attacking positions. The German club made around €208 million (£181m/$242m) by transferring Luka Jovic, Sebastien Haller and Randal Kolo Muani to AC Milan, West Ham and Paris Saint-Germain, respectively, and boosted that total by another €170m (£148/$198) last season when two more talismanic performers caught the eye of Europe's elite.
Ex-Newcastle midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has rejected the notion his former club can’t attract superstar players to the north east after a number of big-name summer signings elected to join rival teams in Manchester and London this summer. Shelvey believes it's a mistake to look down on the region and has spoken of the love players feel from supporters at St James’ Park.
The end of the October international window is upon us, club football fans. Get ready for four more weeks of Premier League fun before we're lulled back into the November break. Fortunately, there's non-stop action before then to look forward to, beginning with some mouth-watering fixtures this coming weekend, including Manchester United's trip to Liverpool.
Kylian Mbappe’s stunning solo goal helped France ease to a comfortable 3-0 victory and take another giant step towards qualifying for next years’ World Cup with victory over Azerbaijan in Paris. Adrien Rabiot and Florian Thavin were also on target, but there were worrying scenes towards the end as talisman Mbappe signalled to come off with what looked like an ankle injury.
Hugo Ekitike is living the dream. After being cast out of Paris Saint-Germain's setup, he rebuilt his reputation in Europe, eventually earning a move to Premier League champions Liverpool. And life could not have started much better at Anfield. Ekitike has been bagging goals and thriving alongside some of the best players in Europe. Now, he has opened up on that move, what it means to him, and his relationship with team-mate Mohamed Salah.
Jamie Carragher immediately expressed his concerns over Arne Slot's tactics after Liverpool had won their opening game of the new season against Bournemouth. So he was never going to hold back after watching the disturbingly ragged Reds slump to a second consecutive defeat in Tuesday's Champions League clash with Galatasaray.
Hugo Ekitike made an honest Liverpool admission and revealed his opinion about the arrival of Alexander Isak at Anfield. The French striker, snapped up for a hefty £69m in July, admitted he has no issue with the £125m Swede being parachuted into Liverpool from Newcastle on deadline day. In fact, the 23-year-old insists Isak’s arrival can only sharpen his own game.
Arne Slot knew full well that the first question of his post-match press conference after Tuesday night's Carabao Cup win over Southampton would be about Hugo Ekitike - but he wasn't happy about it.
Arne Slot slammed Hugo Ekitike for picking up a "needless and stupid" red card after scoring Liverpool's winner against Southampton in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday. The Reds boss also gave full credit for Ekitike's goal to Federico Chiesa, who provided the unselfish pass for the Frenchman to claim the glory. Ekitike's sending off now means that he will be suspended for Liverpool's next Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace.
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