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Alexander Isak was spotted backing Liverpool teammate Hugo Ekitike following the forward's double strike against Newcastle United. The Reds were taking on the Magpies in the Premier League at Anfield on Saturday evening as they sought to recover from last week's defeat to Bournemouth.

Arne Slot's team suffered an early setback when Anthony Gordon put Newcastle ahead in the first half in front of the Kop.

Liverpool responded with two goals from Ekitike, who was given the nod by Slot in the encounter against Newcastle, having previously been linked with a switch to St James' Park last summer before sealing his move to Anfield.

Isak was sidelined for the match against his former club as the Liverpool forward remains on the road to recovery from an ankle injury and a fractured fibula sustained back in December.

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The Sweden international was sat behind the Liverpool dugout at Anfield to cheer on his colleagues, and was seen applauding Ekitike's opening goal, which arrived in the 41st minute, reports the Liverpool Echo.

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Just moments afterward, Ekitike was handing Liverpool a 2-1 advantage courtesy of a sweeping pass from Milos Kerkez which the France international collected and slotted into the bottom corner beyond Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope.

Isak has yet to feature for Liverpool against Newcastle, having been a Magpies player during the reverse fixture between the sides back in August before sealing a £125million switch to Anfield without featuring in that match.

Ekitike's double against Newcastle takes the forward's season tally to 15 goals across all competitions, with 10 of those coming in the Premier League.

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard heaped praise on Ekitike after the striker's brace against Newcastle, with the former Reds skipper drawing comparisons to his former teammate, Fernando Torres.

Speaking to TNT Sports about Ekitike's second goal, Gerrard said: “This is all about Ekitike. It's Torres-like, he just gets it out of his feet.

“He reminds me of Torres this player, every time I watch him. He's scoring similar types of goals where if you give him space in the channel, he'll run it.

“He's too quick, you can't catch him and he is deadly.”

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