Hugo Ekitike scored twice in Liverpool's win over Newcastle(Image: AP)

Arne Slot said he is just as impressed with Hugo Ekitike's work rate off the ball as he is with his match-winning Liverpool contributions on it.

Ekitike's quickfire brace shortly before half-time saw Liverpool come from a goal down to lead Newcastle United at half-time at Anfield, before second half strikes from Florian Wirtz and Ibrahima Konate sealed a 4-1 success.

Ekitike took his tally to 15 goals for the season, and 10 in the Premier League, with his brace, but Slot says it isn't just his goals that he's happy with.

"Everyone should talk about his goals and his actions and how nice this is, because this is what pundits and fans like to talk about. This is much more important that work rate off the ball for them," said the Reds boss.

OPINION

"But for me as a manager I see over the last six or seven months (much) improvement, but lately a lot of improvement in terms of work rate off the ball. The ability to keep on going off the ball, especially with...