The new signing opened his Liverpool goalscoring account within just four minutes
Liverpool manager Arne Slot said he substituted Hugo Ekitike during the Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace to avoid risking injury to the striker ahead of the new Premier League season.
Ekitike, who joined Liverpool less than two weeks ago, marked his debut with a goal at Wembley but was replaced in the second half as Palace came from behind to win on penalties. Slot said the decision was precautionary as the French forward had only just arrived and was still slightly behind in preparations.
“He had a good impact but he is also an example of a player who came, I think, one-and-a-half to two weeks ago, at the end of our Asian tour,” said Slot.
“So for me, with only three or four days before the Friday game, it wouldn’t be smart to play him for 90 minutes.
Of course we have Federico [Chiesa] but he has not been on the Asian tour as well, so there’s not a lot to replace him with.
So, if he gets an injury at this moment of time, that would be a big risk for the Bournemouth, Newcastle and Arsenal games. That’s why I took him off but he had a good game today, that’s for sure.”
Liverpool start the Premier League season on Friday at home to Bournemouth.
