Hugo Ekitike says quick-thinking ball boy was player of the match in emphatic win against Newcastle United - 'We play with the stadium'

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Hugo Ekitike said that an Anfield ballboy was his player of the match after he played a crucial role in Liverpool's emphatic win against Newcastle United. The ball boy had a large part in launching the counter-attack that led to the Frenchman's second goal by giving the ball to Allison Becker. Ekitike's fantastic finish put Liverpool 2-1 up and Arne Slot's side went on to win 4-1.

'Everybody is involved' - Ekitike says ballboy was Man of the Match after assisting his second goal

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Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz battled it out for the title of man of the match during Liverpool’s 4-1 win against Newcastle United at Anfield.

However, in Ekitike's opinion, the prize should have gone to a quick-thinking ball boy who played a crucial role in his second goal of the Premier League clash.

The ballboy in question quickly launched a ball towards Reds goalkeeper Alisson Becker when the score was locked at 1-1.

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It was a key intervention that allowed the Brazilian shot-stopper to kick-start a lightning-quick Liverpool counterattack, which Ekitike finished off in sensational style.

After the match, the in-form French forward declared that the youngster was his player of the match.

"Shout out to him, he is man of the match," Ekitike said. "When we play here, we need that kind of action.

Quick-thinking ball boy sets Liverpool on their way to second goal

Video credit: TNT Sports

"We play with the stadium, we play with the ballboys, everybody is involved."

The ball boy also caught the eye of the TNT Sports experts at pitchside, with Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard praising his quick thinking.

"I think he gets the assist to start the move, for sure," said the former England international.

"It is quick thinking from the ballboy to get it into Alisson Becker. They are not set, Newcastle, and they really struggled getting back into their shape.

"It is a great move, a fast attack from Liverpool, they play to space, and then it is all about Ekitike."

Anthony Gordon gave Newcastle the lead but Ekitike’s double as well as goals from Florian Wirtz and an emotional fourth from Ibrahima Konate wrapped up the win for the hosts.

Highlights: Wirtz shines as Liverpool claim crucial win against Newcastle

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The Liverpool striker deployed a unique finish to score his second goal, stroking the ball past Nick Pope with the outside of his right foot.

He admitted that it is not a technique he gets to show off very often.

"To be honest, it is something that I work on in training, and I don’t usually use it that much in games because it is something we don’t see much," added Ekitike.

"I tried to go past him, but he is pretty fast, so I had to find something.

"The point is that in the last games, since the start of the season, I have had to cut inside and shoot, but he gave me so much space that I could try this and it worked. It’s good."

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