Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike declined to celebrate after finding the net against his former club Eintracht Frankfurt during Wednesday evening's commanding 5-1 Champions League triumph, which brought an abrupt halt to the Reds' concerning four-match losing sequence.
The French forward, who transferred from the German side earlier this year, maintained a respectful stance after his 35th-minute equaliser at Deutsche Bank Park.
"I have so much respect for Frankfurt. They made me the player I am and I wouldn't be here if I didn't go to Frankfurt. I am respectful and grateful for what they did to me," Ekitike explained to TNT Sports following the match.
His composed finish, racing onto Andy Robertson's defence-splitting pass before calmly beating goalkeeper Michael Zetterer, marked his maiden Champions League goal and proved the catalyst for Liverpool's remarkable first-half transformation.
Hugo Ekitike refused to celebrate against his old club after scoring against them
|REUTERS
The hosts had seized control after 26 minutes when Rasmus Kristensen's strike found the net via the far post, capitalising on Liverpool's defensive vulnerability following a midfield turnover.
The goal marked the 18th conceded by the Reds in just 13 matches this campaign.
Yet Ekitike's breakthrough sparked an extraordinary nine-minute blitz that completely reversed the match's trajectory.
Four minutes after the Frenchman's leveller, captain Virgil van Dijk rose to meet Cody Gakpo's corner delivery, powering a header past Zetterer.
The visitors' set-piece dominance continued as Ibrahima Konate added a third just before the interval, the centre-back climbing highest to convert another corner.
"I'm just doing my thing!"
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Hugo Ekitike on his respect for Frankfurt, starting alongside Alexander Isak and his current form 🔥@julesbreach | @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/AUtneoYWWr
Arne Slot's tactical gamble of pairing Ekitike with Alexander Isak in attack for their inaugural start together ultimately paid dividends, though the partnership lasted only 45 minutes.
Ekitike reflected on his special homecoming, telling TNT Sports: "It was a great feeling to come back to Frankfurt.
"It was something special to come back home. To win and score my first Champions League goal here was important."
The 22-year-old detailed his finishing technique for the crucial equaliser: "I just keep it calm and cool. I knew he would come and open his legs so I put it between the legs and that worked."
Regarding his developing partnership with Isak, Ekitike acknowledged room for growth whilst praising his strike partner, adding: "I think it was good. We can improve together and he is a very good player, we need to work together and find a good association.
"I have very good team-mates, staff and I love my life here. I hope I can keep going because it's about consistency in football.
"I feel really good and they have helped me a lot, that is why I am calm and doing my thing."
Hugo Ekitike was at Frankfurt for a year and a half after a loan spell from PSG was made permanent in 2024
Liverpool's dominance extended into the second period as Cody Gakpo converted Florian Wirtz's square pass before Dominik Szoboszlai's thunderous long-range effort completed the rout in the 70th minute.
The comprehensive victory provides crucial momentum for Slot's squad ahead of Saturday's Premier League encounter with Brentford at Anfield.
The Dutch manager's decision to rest Mohamed Salah proved justified as his side rediscovered their attacking fluency.
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Virgil van Dijk was awarded the Man of the Match award for his performance on Wednesday night
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Captain Van Dijk dismissed suggestions the result represented a statement, maintaining perspective on the team's recovery. "I don't know if it's a statement but it is a win and something to build on," the defender told TNT Sports.
"We don't get dragged into the negative things that are going around. The only way you can play your game is to focus on the task ahead. Keep going, don't get dragged into all that stuff."