Ekitike blessed to play alongside Liverpool ´legend´ Salah

Hugo Ekitike said it is a “blessing” to play alongside Liverpool “legend” Mohamed Salah.

After a tumultuous week, Salah returned to Arne Slot’s squad on Saturday for Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Brighton at Anfield.

Salah had been left out of Liverpool’s squad for their Champions League clash with Inter in midweek, with the Reds winning 1-0 at San Siro.

That came after the Egyptian had hit out at the club and Slot in the aftermath of Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Leeds United.

However, after coming on as a first-half substitute, Salah teed up Ekitike’s second goal in a 2-0 win over Brighton, and in the process set a new Premier League record for goal involvements with one club (277).

And Ekitike, who became the youngest player to score two or more goals in consecutive Premier League matches since Michael Owen in May 2001, after also netting a brace against Leeds United last week, is loving playing alongside Salah, whose future is still in question.

“Mohamed is a great, great professional,” he told BBC Sport. “I look to him as an example.

“You can see how much he is involved in goals and assists.

“He is a legend here. To share the pitch is a blessing. That’s the kind of player who makes us like to watch football.”

Hugo opening the scoring after 46 seconds #LIVBHA pic.twitter.com/z6WAeaaQYw

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 13, 2025

Ekitike’s opener against Brighton arrived after just 46 seconds. It is the Reds’ earliest league goal since Naby Keita netted after 15 seconds against Huddersfield Town in April 2019.

It was also the fastest goal to be scored so far in the Premier League this season.

Ekitike added: “I really enjoy my life here.

“I have great team-mates, good staff, great fans.

“They give me so much love, so I try to give it back. The best way is to score goals, be involved and win games.”

The Frenchman has scored seven goals in his first 10 Premier League starts, with only Daniel Sturridge finding the net on more occasions in the same timeframe for Liverpool (eight).

“Last game in the Premier League against Leeds was difficult,” he said. “It was important to win and maybe restart something, I am very happy.”