“I’m not that blissful” – Ekitike sends clear message after Liverpool win

Hugo Ekitike delivered one other decisive efficiency in Liverpool’s 5-2 win over West Ham United, however the French ahead made it clear afterwards that he nonetheless expects extra from himself.

The 22-year-old opened the scoring at Anfield together with his sixteenth aim of his debut season, earlier than including two assists and gathering Participant of the Match honours.

But talking to Liverpoolfc.com after the sport, Ekitike was fast to shift the main focus away from reward and in the direction of enchancment.

Ekitike happy with Liverpool win however calls for extra from himself

Reflecting on the general efficiency, Ekitike first burdened the significance of the outcome within the wider context of the Premier League run-in.

“Yeah, I feel that was a superb win, a superb job from the crew. Actually proud of this win.

“We have now to maintain going as a result of it’s going to be a great distance till the top of the league. However actually blissful, I feel that was actually necessary immediately.”

He acknowledged how scoring early formed the competition, particularly after Liverpool had struggled at instances this season to begin matches shortly.

“If you undergo these sorts of video games and rating early, it helps. It helps the crew and the followers additionally. You’re feeling extra assured. And clearly going into half-time at 3-0 is good.”

Our No.22 additionally highlighted the crew’s enchancment from set-pieces, admitting there have been points earlier within the marketing campaign.

“Clearly we had some issues at the beginning of the season. We have now been speaking all collectively, engaged on the pitch at set-pieces. It’s good that immediately it labored.”

“I may rating extra” – why Ekitike’s mindset issues

Regardless of his 16 objectives and rising affect, Ekitike’s most revealing remark got here when requested about his private tally.

“To be trustworthy, I may rating extra. I’m not that blissful!”

He then added context that ought to encourage Liverpool supporters fairly than fear them.

“It’s not solely about objectives, it’s assists as properly – immediately I feel I gave one or two assists. So long as I might help the crew and be concerned, that’s a very powerful.

“I need to win so, personally, I’m blissful. I’m trying ahead to the upcoming video games.”

And when pressed on enchancment, the response was equally direct.

“Clearly I can enhance, I may rating additionally within the final video games, I had good probabilities. So I’ve to maintain working. I need to be the perfect model of myself to assist the crew extra, as a result of I do know I may assist extra.”

The numbers (by way of Sofascore) towards West Ham underline simply how sturdy his show was.

Ekitike vs West Ham
Stat

SofaScore score
8.5

Minutes
76

Objectives
1

Assists
2

xG
0.21

Key passes
2

Progressive carries
4

Aerial duels received
3

With Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz nonetheless presently unavailable, Ekitike has develop into Liverpool’s major attacking outlet, and Arne Slot’s determination to substitute him on 76 minutes mirrored how worthwhile he’s.

Owen Hargreaves advised after the sport that Ekitike may develop into the most effective strikers on the planet, however what stands out right here is the mentality.

If a participant with 16 objectives, two assists in a single match and rising affect says he’s “not that blissful,” that indicators ambition fairly than complacency.

Liverpool want that starvation within the last stretch of the season.