Hugo Ekitike delivered a decisive performance as Liverpool shocked his former admirers Newcastle United to secure their first Premier League victory of 2026.
Match Report
Newcastle had pursued Ekitike across three transfer windows spanning more than three years, and they were left to regret missing out as Liverpool beat them to the signing of the prolific forward from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer.
Having already scored in the reverse fixture in August, the French striker once again tormented Eddie Howe’s side at a lively Anfield, netting twice in the space of two minutes just before the interval.
Anthony Gordon had given Newcastle the lead with a composed finish, but Liverpool responded emphatically, cruising to victory through Ekitike’s rapid brace, a composed strike from Florian Wirtz, and a close-range goal from an emotional Ibrahima Konate.
Wirtz was central to Liverpool’s first equaliser, weaving through a cluster of defenders before squaring the ball for Ekitike, who applied a clinical first-time finish at the near post.
Moments later, Ekitike struck again, collecting Milos Kerkez’s pass down the left flank, driving into the area, and slotting the ball past Nick Pope into the bottom corner to put Liverpool ahead.
Newcastle—still without a league win at Anfield since 1994—appeared stunned as they headed into the break, and their troubles deepened after half-time.
While Alisson remained alert to push away a fierce effort from Harvey Barnes—who had earlier rattled the post—it was Liverpool who continued to assert control.
Mohamed Salah set up Wirtz with a clever lay-off, allowing the German to calmly finish from inside the box.
Konate, playing his first match since returning from compassionate leave following his father’s death, capped the scoring with a fourth after Pope made a costly mistake.
The win brought Liverpool’s five-match league winless streak to an end, while Newcastle dropped to 10th place in the standings.