Hugo Ekitike couldn't be on the pitch at Goodison Park on Sunday, but his response to Liverpool's dramatic late winner showed exactly why this squad feels different.

Whilst his teammates were celebrating that precious three points in the derby, the injured French striker was quick to send his congratulations from afar. It's the kind of gesture that might go unnoticed by outsiders, but speaks volumes about the mentality Arne Slot has cultivated at Anfield.

Ekitike has barely had time to settle on Merseyside since his loan move from Paris Saint-Germain, and an early injury setback could easily have left him feeling disconnected from the group. Instead, he's showing the kind of team-first attitude that championship squads are built on.

This isn't about one player's social media post. It's about what it represents in a season where every marginal gain matters. When players who aren't even in the matchday squad are genuinely invested in results, when they're celebrating wins like they scored the goals themselves, you know something special is brewing.

The Frenchman will get his chance to contribute on the pitch soon enough, but right now he's already showing he understands what it means to be part of this Liverpool family.

Moments like these, away from the cameras and the headlines, often reveal more about a team's character than any ninety minutes of football ever could.