The Reds struggled to pose any threat, managing only three shots throughout the match, none of which were on target, resulting in a disappointing expected goals (xG) of 0.17, according to Sofascore.

Former footballer Jamie Carragher criticized Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, and the returning Alexander Isak, stating they need to contribute significantly more to the team. However, Ekitike received the harshest criticism from pundits.

Gabby Agbonlahor did not hold back in his assessment of Liverpool's number 22, who recorded the team’s first shot in the 49th minute. Speaking on talkSPORT, Agbonlahor stated, "Ekitike was an absolute disgrace, and we're big fans of him. He didn't turn up, he didn't try, he was lazy. Every time he got one-on-one, he'd give the ball away."

While Agbonlahor’s comments may seem extreme, it was indeed one of Ekitike's weakest performances of the season. Ian Doyle of the Liverpool Echo rated him a mere 5/10, noting, "No faulting effort but guilty far too often of unnecessary fancy flicks and giving the ball away cheaply." This assessment aligns with the statistics from Sofascore.

Ekitike has generally been a valuable addition to the squad, netting 17 goals in his debut season at Anfield. However, he has only scored twice in his last 12 matches, both in games that were already decisive victories (5-2 against West Ham and 4-0 against Galatasaray), rather than in tightly contested matches.

It's worth noting that Ekitike has been shouldering the center-forward responsibilities since Christmas due to Isak's injury. As Isak gradually returns to the lineup, Ekitike will need to regain his earlier form to help Liverpool secure a spot in next season's Champions League.

My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.