Hugo Ekitike was Liverpool’s two-goal hero against Brighton on Saturday afternoon, and he modestly sought to heap glowing praise on the other man who’s set to dominate tonight’s headlines.
A darling of the Kop, the Frenchman had already netted once by the time Mo Salah came on for the injured Joe Gomez in the 25th minute, with the Reds’ number 11 getting a rousing reception at Anfield as fans showed their support for him despite his incendiary comments a week ago.
The Egypt winger spurned a late chance to make a goalscoring return to action as he blazed over the bar after being teed up by Federico Chiesa, but the 33-year-old was the recipient of a ringing endorsement from the summer signing.
Ekitike: It’s a ‘blessing’ to play alongside Salah
It’s rare that we’d get to this stage of the season with Salah not being Liverpool’s leading goalscorer, with Ekitike instead out clear in front with 10 goals to the Egyptian’s five, but the 23-year-old is aware of the illustrious company that he keeps at Anfield.
Speaking to BBC Match of the Day after today’s match, the France international said: “Mohamed is a great, great professional. I look to him as an example. You can see how much he is involved in goals and assists.
“He is a legend here. To share the pitch is a blessing. That’s the kind of player who makes us like to watch football.”
Can Ekitike become as much of a Liverpool great as Salah?
Salah has been hammered by numerous pundits in recent days after his fiery comments last weekend, but while he was wrong to air his grievances in public, it’s evident that his teammates and the Liverpool fan base remain firmly behind him.
It’d be fair to state that he’s been having a poor season by his stratospheric standards, and that he wasted two good openings in the closing minutes today when the Reds were tentatively clinging to their 2-0 lead.
However, Ekitike rightly recognises just how special a player the 33-year-old has been at Anfield ever since he joined the club in 2017, and that’s exactly the kind of legacy that the Frenchman will hope to leave during his time on Merseyside.
Despite suggestions in some quarters that today could be Salah’s final match for Liverpool before he leaves for the Africa Cup of Nations and departs LFC for good next month, his post-match salute to the fans didn’t have the feel of a permanent goodbye, but rather a ‘see you soon’.
The winger will be missed while he’s away on international duty, but so long as his French teammate at Anfield keeps producing the goods up front (with input from his teammates, too), the Reds should hopefully be in a strong position domestically whenever our number 11 returns from the tournament in Morocco.
Good players know and value good players. Imagine how many goals Ekitike can score with Salah in the team whipping in those killers crosses.
Excellent players are hard to find. Here we have one by the name Salah and we are failing to appreciate him. Always remember the person who helped and took liverpool to its glory along with the team mates. You will always be hailed as a hero. Thank you.
One thing I know and still believe is that. Mohammed Salah is still and will always be a red’s player. To the least he will see out his contract and even extend it.
YWNWA.
A legend remains a legend. So, Salah still stands out as a Liverpool legend since he joined the club in 2017,winning trophies together with jurgen klopp, having over 500+ goals in his career. But if he goes, ekitike will take over that post of having many goals as him. But still Salah is among the best players in the world despite of his age.
Definitely Moh is a legend. He surpasses plenty of EPL records and put himself to the pedestal of football records! He could have win more awards if he is not an Arab but sad to say FIFA is ruled by west!
Mo Salah will always be remembered for his great contributions to Liverpool’s success. He will always be in the heart of every Liverpool player and fan. YNWA, Salah!
The Reds weren’t exactly “Clinging” to their 2 goal lead mate…it was in the bag easily! they were unlucky not to have had 2 more goals and yeah Brighton were unlucky not to score at least one of those attempts but Reds were superior!
This guy can be anything he wants they’re saying he’s the next Henry but he can be better than that!
Salah is the best after Ian Rush. Nobody can replace both their skills and commitment to the club. Without Salah, Liverpool is nothing. Every trophy won is through Salah’s hard work and motivation to the team and other players to give the best of themselves. Mo Salah is a true inspiration to others and a real leader. YNWA