Hugo Ekitike enjoyed a night he will remember forever, as the Liverpool forward scored his first senior goal for France in a crucial World Cup qualifier.
The moment finally arrived on November 13, and it could not have been scripted better for a striker trying to earn a permanent place in Didier Deschamps’ plans.
France needed a win to confirm their spot at next summer’s finals, and the game was still tight at 1-0 when Ekitike was sent on in the second half.
What followed was a reminder of why Liverpool moved quickly to bring him from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer. The 23-year-old has already become the Reds’ top scorer this season, and now he has taken that form onto the international stage.
His goal came two minutes before full-time. Starting his run from halfway, Ekitike glided through the Ukraine defense, exchanged a sharp one-two with Kylian Mbappe, and calmly placed the ball beyond Anatoliy Trubin.
A composed finish, a confident run, and a clear statement to Deschamps. For a player who once struggled for minutes in Germany, this was a “je comprends” moment for France fans.
Konate later revealed he had pushed Ekitike to put in extra gym work earlier in the season, saying he wanted the forward to “earn his place.”
The advice appears to have paid off. Ekitike won four of six duels, completed all his dribbles, and even struck the post. Only the woodwork stopped him from claiming a brace.
Now the real question begins — does this goal move him closer to a starting spot next summer? With France’s talent pool deeper than a Champions League midfield, nothing is guaranteed.
But Ekitike has just nudged his name higher on the list, and Liverpool supporters will be hoping he keeps scoring… for both club and country.
A Twist in the Break for Liverpool’s Internationals
While Ekitike grabbed the headlines, several other Liverpool players were also in action during the November international break. Some impressed, some waited for their chance, and all returned with stories of their own.
Liverpool Players in November International Break so far
| Player | Nation | Match | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hugo Ekitike | France | vs Ukraine | Scored first senior international goal |
| Ibrahima Konate | France | vs Ukraine | Unused substitute |
| Dominik Szoboszlai | Hungary | vs Armenia | Assisted winning goal |
| Milos Kerkez | Hungary | vs Armenia | Started alongside Szoboszlai |
| Kieran Morrison | Northern Ireland U21 | vs Latvia U21 | Played 75 minutes |
| Armin Pecsi | Hungary U21 | vs Faroe Islands | Started in 3-0 win |
Ekitike’s stunning strike was the highlight of the break, but Szoboszlai also delivered with a precise assist as Hungary pushed toward qualification. Liverpool’s young talents, including Morrison and Pecsi, added valuable minutes at youth level.
A promising week for the Reds across the globe — and Ekitike’s headline moment might just be the start of a new chapter for him.
Ekitike up front with Isak or Gakpo, Wirtz just behind them. Sboz, Grav and Mac across the middle. Bradley or Frimpong at right back, Kerkez at left back. Marmash in goal. Sell Salah, Van Dyke and Allison, buy two central defenders. Slot has not become a poor manager overnight. Certain players are past their best and are letting the team down.