Hugo Ekitike was among Liverpool’s top performers against Newcastle United on January 31.
It is nothing new from the Frenchman, who has been far and away Liverpool’s most consistent summer signing.
Ekitike is already in the history books alongside club legend Kenny Dalglish, and has been forming a brilliant partnership with Florian Wirtz.
The duo once again combined against Newcastle, with the German playing an especially key role in the striker’s first of the night.
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Hugo Ekitike praised by Danny Murphy after starring display vs Newcastle United
The Magpies took the lead on Saturday, but a brace from Ekitike saw Liverpool 2-1 up at half-time.
After watching the 23-year-old net a brace, former Red Danny Murphy gave his verdict on the centre-forward, suggesting there is an ‘arrogance’ about him.
As per the Premier League’s live blog, he said: “They were taking risks before they were one down. But he’s [Ekitike] got wonderful confidence at the moment – that some of the players don’t have. He’s got a calmness, an arrogance perhaps.
“Every time he’s in front of goal you feel like he’s going to score, the fans adore him.”
In that context, the arrogance Murphy is talking about is clearly a positive and certainly something Liverpool need in their frontline right now.
However, that was not the case for Mohamed Salah earlier this season.
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Mohamed Salah ‘arrogant’ for the wrong reasons
Salah called out Liverpool in a post-match interview following a 3-3 draw with Leeds United.
After those comments, Wayne Rooney criticised the winger for his arrogance when speaking on his podcast for the BBC.
He said: “Liverpool fans – I know a lot of them – they won’t accept those comments, no luck.
“To have the arrogance to say he doesn’t have to earn his place because he has already earned his place – you need to be at your best every week to try and stay in the team.
“If I was one of his teammates, I wouldn’t be happy at all with what he said because this is where Liverpool need him most. If anything, he has thrown Liverpool under the bus with his words.”
Salah has since returned to the eleven following time away at the AFCON, but as Rooney hinted, he’s not currently proving he deserves a place in the eleven.
Liverpool fans expressed concern about the 33-year-old during the Newcastle clash. But thankfully, Ekitike and Wirtz were on hand to make up for his shortcomings.
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