Hugo Ekitike understood the significance of the Merseyside derby for Liverpool supporters – and was delighted to play a decisive role in Saturday’s victory.
The summer signing experienced his first taste of the historic rivalry as the Reds hosted Everton in the 247th meeting between the two sides at Anfield.
Ekitike rose to the occasion with a composed low finish to double Liverpool’s lead in the first half, adding to a superb opener from Ryan Gravenberch.
Idrissa Gana Gueye halved the deficit for the visitors shortly before the hour mark, but Arne Slot’s men stood firm to secure a 2-1 win.
Ekitike’s strike, assisted by Gravenberch, was his fourth goal since joining from Eintracht Frankfurt ahead of the 2025/26 season.
“Top. Top, top,” Ekitike told Liverpoolfc.com post-match.
“Obviously I knew that game was really important for the fans, so a win today was important. I felt the stadium and the crowd was very loud today.
“It’s a very proud feeling, happy feeling. We just have to keep going.
“[It] was a good first half. When they came back, it was a bit difficult with the 2-1. But we just kept the right mentality until the end and I think that’s what made the difference at the end.”
“It’s really good,” he added. “I want to score every game, if you ask me. The last game I didn’t score but I always try to find a way to make the difference.
“It can be a goal, an assist, a run to create space for another player. It’s good.
“At the end, the most important [thing] is the team and it’s the three points today.”
“Football is moments, we can be happy today until tomorrow and when we wake up we have to go again.
“We have on Tuesday a cup game and we just have to focus and keep going. Our schedule is busy, we just have games and we have to reach goals all the time.”
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