Hugo Ekitike Equals Incredible Kenny Dalglish Record at Liverpool After Scoring on Return From Injury in FA Cup

Hugo Ekitike Writes His Name Into Liverpool History Alongside Kenny Dalglish

Some records at Liverpool carry a different kind of weight. They are not just numbers in a stat book, but reminders of eras, icons and moments that helped shape one of football’s most storied institutions. On a calm Monday night at Anfield, during what looked like a routine FA Cup tie against Barnsley, Hugo Ekitike quietly joined one of those exclusive chapters.

By scoring on his return from injury in Liverpool’s 4-1 FA Cup victory, the French forward matched an achievement previously completed by just one man in the club’s long and decorated history: Kenny Dalglish. In doing so, Ekitike confirmed that his debut season on Merseyside has already drifted beyond solid adaptation and into genuinely historic territory.

He has now scored in five different competitions during his first campaign as a Liverpool player. Dalglish did it in 1977-78. No one else has managed it since. Until now.

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Liverpool Star Scores Again as FA Cup Goal Completes the Set

At first glance, the FA Cup third-round clash with Barnsley felt like a footnote in Liverpool’s season. Arne Slot rotated his squad, Anfield was in relaxed mood, and the Premier League title race understandably dominated the wider narrative. Yet for Ekitike, this match carried quiet significance.

Introduced from the bench in the second half, the Frenchman needed only a brief window to make his mark. His goal was not extravagant, nor did it define the game, but it mattered deeply in context. With that finish, Ekitike ticked off the final box in a remarkable list:

• Premier League

• Champions League

• Carabao Cup

• FA Community Shield

• FA Cup

Five competitions. Five different stages. Five moments where he delivered when called upon.

Liverpool’s statisticians were quick to confirm what many fans sensed immediately: this had not happened at the club for nearly 50 years.

Ekitike Equals Kenny Dalglish’s Legendary 1977-78 Feat

Any comparison with Kenny Dalglish must be handled carefully. “King Kenny” is not merely a former player at Liverpool; he is part of the club’s DNA. His debut season in 1977-78 is woven into folklore, culminating in a European Cup triumph and a goal in the final against Club Brugge.

That season, Dalglish scored across five competitions:

• The Football League

• The European Cup

• The FA Cup

• The League Cup

• The European Super Cup

Ekitike’s list reflects the modern era rather than mirroring it exactly, but the principle remains the same: scoring across every front during a debut season. For nearly half a century, that achievement stood untouched.

That it has now been matched by a 22-year-old French forward still finding his footing in English football speaks volumes about the impact Ekitike has made since arriving at Anfield.

A Return From Injury That Couldn’t Have Gone Better

What adds an extra layer of satisfaction to Ekitike’s FA Cup goal is the timing. This was not just another appearance; it was his first outing after a brief injury layoff that had raised minor concerns within the Liverpool camp.

Arne Slot took a cautious approach. Ekitike started on the bench, protected from unnecessary risk during a busy January schedule. But when he entered the pitch, his sharpness was immediate. His movement was intelligent, his pressing purposeful, and when the chance came, he took it with the calm assurance that has become his trademark.

Slot later hinted that having Ekitike back available is crucial, especially after Rio Ngumoha’s injury during the same match, which further stretched Liverpool’s attacking depth.

For a manager juggling domestic and European ambitions, reliability matters as much as flair. Ekitike has increasingly shown that he can be trusted.

Why This Record Matters More Than It Seems

On paper, scoring in five competitions may not sound as glamorous as a Golden Boot or a 30-goal season. But it speaks to something arguably more important in a debut campaign: adaptability.

Ekitike has not feasted on one type of opposition or one tactical scenario. He has scored against elite Champions League defences, domestic rivals in league play, and lower-league opposition in the cups. He has done it starting matches and coming off the bench. In high-pressure moments and quieter ones.

That breadth of contribution is often what separates promising signings from truly reliable forwards.

In modern football, where squad rotation is constant and competitions overlap relentlessly, players who can make an impact across contexts become invaluable. Ekitike is quickly establishing himself as exactly that.

A Debut Season That Keeps Getting Better

When Liverpool signed Ekitike, there was curiosity rather than certainty. His talent was obvious, but questions remained about consistency, physical adaptation, and whether he could shoulder responsibility at a club where expectations are relentless.

So far, he has answered those questions with actions rather than words.

• 12 goals in 27 appearances across all competitions

• 8 goals in the Premier League

• Goals in Europe, domestic cups, and the season’s opening curtain-raiser

Perhaps most importantly, his goals have often arrived at moments when Liverpool needed energy or a spark rather than spectacle.

The FA Community Shield strike early in the season hinted at his mentality. The Champions League finishes under pressure reinforced it. The FA Cup goal against Barnsley completes a pattern rather than standing alone.

Arne Slot’s Trust Is Paying Dividends

Arne Slot’s first season in charge has naturally been scrutinised, but his handling of Ekitike deserves praise. Rather than forcing him into a rigid role, Slot has allowed the forward to grow organically within the system.

Sometimes Ekitike starts as the focal point. Other times he operates as a flexible option from the bench. In every case, he understands what is required of him. That tactical intelligence is often overlooked when discussing young forwards, but it is central to why Slot continues to rely on him.

Scoring in five competitions is not accidental. It reflects opportunity given — and opportunity taken.

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Standing in the Shadow of Dalglish, Without the Burden

Being mentioned alongside Kenny Dalglish can crush players. Expectations spiral, pressure builds, comparisons become unfair. The key difference with Ekitike is that the comparison is statistical, not stylistic.

He is not being asked to be “the next Dalglish”. He is simply walking a path that, for one season at least, mirrors something special from the club’s past.

That distinction matters. It allows Ekitike to carry the achievement as motivation rather than weight.

What Comes Next for Ekitike and Liverpool?

The challenge now is sustainability. Dalglish’s debut season ended with European glory. Ekitike does not need to replicate that to validate his achievement, but silverware will inevitably define how this season is remembered.

Liverpool remain active contenders across multiple fronts. If trophies arrive in May, Ekitike’s goals across competitions will be remembered not as trivia, but as building blocks.

For now, though, it is enough to acknowledge what has already happened. A young forward, returning from injury, scoring in the FA Cup, and quietly matching a record set by one of the greatest players in Liverpool’s history.

Not many players can say that — especially not in their first season at Anfield.

And perhaps that is the most encouraging sign of all.