Hugo Ekitike's celebration shows true feelings about Alexander Isak transfer talk

Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring for Liverpool against Crystal Palace in the 2025 FA Community Shield clash

Former Newcastle United target Hugo Ekitike seemed to respond to criticism with his celebration during Liverpool's Community Shield match against Crystal Palace. The French under-21 international marked his English football debut with a stunning solo goal past Dean Henderson. The 23-year-old celebrated by mimicking a talking gesture with his hands after putting the reigning Premier League champions ahead. This comes just weeks after he rejected Newcastle for a move to the North West and amidst the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Alexander Isak. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Liverpool beat Newcastle to sign the Eintracht Frankfurt forward after the Bundesliga club turned down a £70million bid from the Magpies. After his move to the Reds, there were suggestions that he wouldn't feature heavily in the Liverpool starting line-up due to their existing options. However, with Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez leaving, Liverpool are facing a hectic few weeks of the transfer window as they look to bolster their attacking options. They have shown significant interest in Isak and have already had a £110million bid rejected by Newcastle. The Swedish striker has been forced to train alone after expressing his desire to leave St James' Park following interest from Liverpool.

Former Crystal Palace striker Glenn Murray suggested that Ekitike's celebration was a message to the Anfield bosses about his place in the attacking pecking order on Merseyside, especially with the increasing speculation around Isak. "It is the two new men. Wirtz plays it into Ekitike and he hits it low and hard past Dean Henderson," he said "He celebrates by using his hands as mouths. "There has been a lot of noise about Alexander Isak but Ekitike is blocking out the noise and is saying 'I'm here'." The transfer window closes in September and Eddie Howe confronts crucial choices in the market, alongside their record purchase.

The latest activity from Liverpool has prompted former defender Jamie Carragher to question their strategy, particularly regarding their chase for Isak. "In terms of what Liverpool have done in the summer by bringing in players, they've spent a lot of money and it doesn't feel like the Liverpool way of doing things so much," Carragher said. "Or certainly if you listen to some supporters who have been on the owner's case for so long!

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"He [Alexander Isak] will be an amazing signing, but from a fan's point of view for myself, I don't want Liverpool to spend £150 million on Isak. There's something about Liverpool buying another striker [Hugo Ekitike], and he's backup. Something about it doesn't feel right to me. I know Liverpool need numbers, for a number of reasons, at the top of the pitch. "I look at Isak, and he's obviously thrown his toys out the pram once Arsenal signed a striker and Liverpool signed a striker. From his point of view and from his agent's point of view, do they not tell Newcastle months ago that they wanted to move on? "It feels a bit messy to me now. For me, when I think of Liverpool, it doesn't look really planned – I don't think the plan is to buy a striker for £80 million, and then be looking to buy another one for £120 million."

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