“Hugo Ekitike had been desperately trying to shake off a bout of cramp shortly before his No 22 went up on the fourth official’s board on Saturday, signalling the end of his game in the 78th minute. The sight of the exhausted French striker heading towards the touchline triggered a standing ovation from home supporters to thank Liverpool’s two-goal match-winner against Brighton & Hove Albion. Mohamed Salah was always going to dominate the narrative after the events of the previous week. However, it’s the form of Ekitike which fuels the belief that head coach Arne Slot’s side can extend their mini-resurgence of the past few matches and flourish as an attacking force during Salah’s time away at the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt in the weeks to come. …”
NY Times/The Athletic