Hugo Ekitike insisted he didn’t celebrate his goal during Liverpool’s 5-1 thrashing of Frankfurt on Wednesday night as he has “so much respect” for his former club.
The 23-year-old spent 18 months at Deutsche Bank Park before signing for the Reds in a deal worth an initial £69 million in July.
But it took the Frenchman just 35 minutes to inflict pain on his old side as he pounced onto Andy Robertson‘s through-ball before coolly finishing past Michael Zetterer to draw Liverpool level after they had fallen behind to Rasmus Kristensen’s strike.
After finding the back of the net however, Ekitike – who has now scored six goals in 12 outings for the Premier League champions – decided not to celebrate and instead made a ‘sorry’ gesture as he raced back to the halfway line.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, the forward explained that he didn’t feel comfortable celebrating against his former side as he “wouldn’t be here” if he hadn’t joined them on an initial loan deal in January 2024.
“You know I had to [score]! It was a great feeling,” said Ekitike.
“Obviously it was something special today for me to come back, I would say at home.
“I know everybody here, so it was a special game for me and obviously the win was important, and to score my first Champions League goal – I’m really happy.
“I have so much respect for them. They made me the player I am right now.
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t come to Frankfurt, so I just can be respectful and grateful for what they gave to me, and I will keep what I learned there and the values they gave me all the time in the future.”
Wednesday’s Champions League tie was also the first time Ekitike had started alongside fellow summer signing Alexander Isak, and the Frenchman believes it is only a matter of time before his partnership with the No. 9 “works”.
“I think it was good. Obviously it was not the best half together, but I think we can improve together,” added Ekitike.
“He’s a very good player, and I know in time we need to work together and find a good association. I think the links will come and then it will work.”
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