Hugo Ekitike was the star of the evening as Liverpool delivered a thrilling 4-2 win at Anfield. The £70m signing from Eintracht Frankfurt impressed immediately with a performance that earned him hero status among the fans. While his future role could face competition—especially if Liverpool pursue Newcastle’s Alexander Isak—Ekitike’s display left no doubt about his talent.
The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with late goals from Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah sealing the win. But the night was not without controversy, as allegations of racist abuse cast a shadow over an otherwise electric atmosphere.
Honoring Diogo Jota
The evening began with touching tributes to Diogo Jota, the Liverpool striker who tragically died in a car crash in July, alongside his brother Andre Silva. The Kop displayed banners remembering the player, including one that read: “Anfield will always be your home. You’ll Never Walk Alone.” Fans observed a minute’s silence, followed by applause at the 20th minute, in honor of the number 20 shirt Jota wore. Songs celebrating his memory echoed across the stadium, giving the match a deeply emotional start.
Liverpool’s new-look side
Liverpool showed off their fresh faces, with four Premier League newcomers starting the match: Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, and full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez. This level of change is unusual for the reigning champions, who haven’t started so many debutants on opening day since the 1992-93 season.
Ekitike was clearly the standout among them, raising questions about how manager Arne Slot might handle a potential strike partnership if Isak joins. Slot has rarely used two forwards together, so combining Ekitike and Isak could be a new challenge—but one that promises excitement for Liverpool fans.
