Hugo Ekitike was full of praise for Liverpool’s mentality as they launched their Premier League title defence with a 4-2 victory over Bournemouth at Anfield.
The summer signing opened the scoring with a calm close-range finish, his first home goal for the club. He then set up Cody Gakpo to double the lead, though Bournemouth struck back with two Antoine Semenyo goals.
Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah sealed the win in front of the Kop, sparking a rousing finale.
“Obviously I think it was a good performance. I could do better. But the most important [thing] tonight is the win and the mentality we showed. We wanted to win for the people who came tonight and for Diogo, and I think that’s what we did so I’m happy for everybody,” Ekitike revealed after the game.
“I have so many things to do better to help the team as [much] as I can. I can do a lot of things and I think I would get better and do even more for this team.
“I think it’s natural. I also changed my way to play here because I think it’s also different football, with more intensity. The defenders are stronger and we have tight space here.”
He added: “I had so much more space in Germany. That’s why I try to come, link and go, try to run behind. But we have to find the way to succeed with the details, because it’s not [enough to be] ‘good’ anymore and we just have to get better.
“It’s a dream. I always dreamed to play here in the Premier League so I just enjoy every minute. It’s an amazing stadium. The fans at the end when it was at 2-2, they pushed so much.
“Even on the bench, I enjoyed it. I wanted to be in the crowd! It’s just amazing. But it’s the first game, we have so much to do to get better and to reach our goals.”
The 23-year-old forward will be looking forward to an addition to his opening tally as the Reds travel to St. James’s Park on Monday 25 August as they lock horns with Newcastle United.
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