A pundit is convinced that Hugo Ekitike was sending a message to Newcastle United star Alexander Isak during Liverpool’s Community Shield loss to Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Newcastle tried to sign Ekitike but he ended up joining the Reds, who now want to add Isak to their squad.
Isak wants to join Liverpool but they have not yet returned with a second bid after Newcastle rejected their opening offer.
The idea of Ekitike playing alongside Isak would be painful for Toon fans. The Magpies have tried to sign the Frenchman on multiple occasions and missing out on him is bad enough without the prospect of Isak leaving St James’ Park and joining him at Anfield.
It’s obvious why Liverpool would be interested in Isak. The 25-year-old is one of the best forwards in the world and scored 23 Premier League goals last season.
Still, Arne Slot’s side already have Ekitike as a Darwin Nunez replacement (albeit the former PSG star can also play on the wing) and Liverpool’s loss to Palace on penalties at Wembley after a 2-2 draw exposed some defensive issues.
Ekitike opened the scoring for the English champions at Wembley and BBC Sport pundit Glenn Murray is convinced he was sending a message.
- Who is Alexander Isak? The striker who burned his Newcastle United reputation to force £125m Liverpool transfer
Hugo Ekitike’s celebration for Liverpool against Crystal Palace
After scoring within five minutes at Wembley, the 23-year-old celebrated in rather interesting fashion.
Ekitike appeared to be using his hands to mimic people talking, though it is of course unclear what he meant.
Pundit Murray, however, believes it may have been a message to Isak.
Amid so much talk about Liverpool moving for the Swede, Ekitike may well have been reminding people that the Reds already had a big-name striker.
“He celebrates by using his hands as mouths,” said the former Palace and Brighton forward on BBC Radio Five Live at 15:08 BST on 10/08/2025.
“There has been a lot of noise about Alexander Isak but Ekitike is blocking out the noise and is saying ‘I’m here.'”
Why Liverpool haven’t made a new bid for Alexander Isak yet
It seems incredibly unlikely that Liverpool won’t return for Isak.
A club surely doesn’t bid over £100million for a player only to walk away after one rejection.
Still, Liverpool will only bid for Isak again when Newcastle give them encouragement.
At this stage, it’s hard to see when that will come. The Magpies have struggled to sign players all summer and it remains doubtful they would actively welcome interest from the Reds, no matter how toxic the situation gets with Isak on Tyneside.
Isak and Newcastle are the biggest losers from this. Relationships appear to have broken down, while Liverpool watch on.
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