From almost Magpie to their red nightmare: Ekitike haunts Newcastle again with a two-goal blitz

Hugo Ekitike turned the game on its head on late Saturday night, leaving former suitors Newcastle United reeling as defending champions finally recorded their first Premier League win of 2026 (4-1).

Newcastle had tried - three transfer windows, three and a half years - to land the French striker from Eintracht Frankfurt. Last year, Liverpool swooped. And last night, at a roaring Anfield, Ekitike reminded the Magpies why they missed out.

After opening the scoring in the reverse fixture in August, Ekitike returned to haunt Eddie Howe's side with a breathtaking double in just two minutes before half-time. Anthony Gordon had given Newcastle hope with a fine opener, but Liverpool's response was brutal.

And the Magpies were too weak, as usual, when it comes to their away games.

Florian Wirtz orchestrated the first strike, weaving through a sea of black-and-white shirts before delivering a perfect pass to Ekitike, who finished calmly at the near post. Seconds later, Ekitike was on the move again, receiving a pinpoint pass from Milos Kerkez, driving into the box, and rifling the ball past Nick Pope to put Liverpool in front.

At half-time, Newcastle trudged off in shock - a team unaccustomed to seeing Anfield turn against them. They hadn't won a league game at the ground since 1994, and tonight it showed.

The second half only intensified Liverpool's dominance. Harvey Barnes struck the post for Newcastle, but Alisson and the Reds' relentless attack made sure there was no comeback. Mohamed Salah’s clever lay-off found Wirtz again, who swept home inside the box. And in an emotional moment, Ibrahima Konate, playing his first match since returning from compassionate leave following his father's death, added a fourth after Pope's error.

Liverpool ended a five-game league winless streak, while Newcastle slipped to 10th, left to ponder what might have been, and how one missed signing can haunt a club for years.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 24

Saturday

Brighton - Everton 1-1 (0-0)

/Gross 73 - Beto 90+7/

Wolves - Bournemouth 0-2 (0-1)

/Kroupi 33, Scott 90+1/

Leeds United - Arsenal 0-3 (0-2)

/Zubimendi 27, Darlow og 38, Gyokeres 69/

Chelsea - West Ham 3-2 (0-2)

/Pedro 57, Cucurella 70, Enzo F. 90+2 - Bowen 7, Summerville 36/

Liverpool - Newcastle 4-1 (2-1)

/Ekitike 41,43, Wirtz 67, Konate 90+3 - Gordon 36/

Sunday

17.00: (2.10) Aston Villa (3.50) Brentford (3.80)

17.00: (1.63) Man.Utd. (4.20) Fulham (5.00)

17.00: (2.00) Nott.Forest (3.40) Crystal Palace (3.90)

19.30: (4.60) Tottenham (4.20) Man.City (1.75)

Monday

23.00: (1.80) Sunderland (3.70) Burnley (4.90)

***odds are subject to change***