Hugo Ekitike scored twice at Leeds United but ultimately saw the Reds have to settle for a draw
Hugo Ekitike says Liverpool need to work smarter, not harder, as the Reds’ dismal campaign shows no sign of getting any better. The French forward’s brace at Leeds United looked to have set his side on the way to three points, only for a collapse ignited by Ibrahima Konate’s concession of a penalty to bring the hosts level.
Dominik Szoboszlai then looked to have won it for Arne Slot’s beleaguered champions, but Ao Tanaka struck six minutes into stoppage time and stopped the Reds from going level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea.
Ekitike was preferred to Alexander Isak in attack by Slot, and he lamented the fact that Liverpool didn’t show authority or intelligence in the way they approached the game at 2-0 up.
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“What I could say now is that we could probably run not much more but better,” Ekitike told Liverpool’s official channels.
“I think it’s just the period at the time. We need to keep working together, stick together in that kind of game because we know the pressure is going to be on our shoulders if they score goals, because they play at home and they have big fans. I think we just have to stick together, run more for each other and just work as a team.”
Ekitike’s goals were his first for the Reds in nine appearances, and took his tally for his maiden campaign at the club to eight, further establishing his position as Liverpool’s top goalscorer this season, a spot which has been taken by Mohamed Salah for each of the last eight years.
But while unused substitute Salah’s post-match outburst hit the headlines, Ekitike was keen to pay tribute to the returning Conor Bradley who provided the assist for his second goal.
“He gave me a great ball, to be honest,” he said. “The only thing I had to do is just to believe that the ball will come again. Then when we had the eye contact, I knew he was going to put in (the ball) and I just threw myself.
“Obviously with me during that time I knew I was scoring less, I was less involved in goals and assists. I was a bit annoyed because as a striker you want to be involved and help the team with scoring goals or give assists.
“I just kept working. I’m glad that today I could score for the team. I just want more – especially to win (as) that’s most important for me at the moment. Even if I don’t score, I want us to win.”
