The forward scored both goals in a 2-0 home victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, taking his tally for the season to 10 goals from 23 appearances in all competitions.

The brace underlined an impressive start to Ekitike's Liverpool career, particularly in the Premier League. He has now scored seven goals in his first 10 league starts for the club, a return bettered only by Daniel Sturridge, who netted eight times across his first 10 top-flight starts in a red shirt.

Ekitike has also found form at a crucial time, recording back-to-back doubles against Leeds United and Brighton.

His output places him prominently among the league's leading scorers this season, with only Erling Haaland and Igor Thiago ahead of him in the charts.

That achievement is viewed as especially notable given Liverpool's broader struggles during the campaign, which have often left the side searching for consistency.

"I know what people expect. I have my expectations too," he said. "I'm just working on it to be as good as people expect me to be and I know I'm in a place I was dreaming to be.

"I've been to so many places and you always have something to reach. I think that's what football is.

"I always think that football makes you tired physically but mentally, if you want to get to the top and do and achieve things, it's always about again and again and again.

"Because if tomorrow I score a brace and I say, 'I'm really good', it stops. Obviously I want to be the best - that's why I'm playing.

"But I know I have so much work, so many things to improve. But, of course, I want to be the best.

"A striker needs goals to be alive. Sometimes I don't get an assist, I don't get a goal but I know I make a good run for someone and he's gonna score.

"And if I don't do that, nothing is going to happen. If you don't have pressure, if people don't care, that means you're not at the right place. I'm at the right place."

He added: "(It was) a great start, a really fast start. And then going back to reality... I tried to keep working for the team.

"Obviously I'm not happy about all the games I played, I think I could do better. In general I would say that was good, I can improve.

"I know I can bring a lot more to this team, but I'm definitely getting better and I'm sure I'm going to switch to a good season."

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