Hugo Ekitike Boldly Steps Forward as Liverpool's Answer to Alexander Isak Transfer Battle
Arne Slot faces the challenge of effectively managing and maximizing the potential of Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitiké, with the latter expressing his views on the possibility of both strikers featuring together on the field.
"Having Alex here is beneficial. At my current stage, there's plenty for me to develop and absorb. The tactical decisions rest with the manager. I'm versatile enough to operate in a dual-striker setup or as a lone forward - I'm adaptable to various roles. Should we need to combine forces, I'm prepared for that," Ekitiké commented before Liverpool's Champions League encounter with Galatasaray.
While the 23-year-old acknowledged that tactical choices ultimately belong to the manager, he's demonstrated his eagerness to both absorb knowledge from Isak and potentially convince Slot to deploy them simultaneously.
Might Slot Deploy Both Isak and Ekitiké Simultaneously?
The Dutch tactician hasn't yet fielded both Isak and Ekitiké together, instead selecting one for the starting eleven while using the other as a substitute option. Isak made his Liverpool bow in the Champions League fixture against Atlético Madrid and featured from the start against Southampton and Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup and Premier League respectively. Ekitiké began the Merseyside derby but received what Slot termed a "foolish" dismissal against Southampton, ruling him out of the Selhurst Park visit.
Deploying both attacking talents simultaneously seems increasingly probable once Isak achieves peak condition, considering his lack of pre-season preparation due to transfer complications, though the specific circumstances remain unclear. Late-game scenarios when pursuing a result naturally favor multiple strikers, but might Slot consider utilizing Ekitiké in a wide left position?
The French forward managed only four outings between 2019 and 2021 during his Ligue 1 stint. Following his Frankfurt transfer, he operated predominantly as a central striker. Nevertheless, Slot possesses sufficient striking depth to maintain both players' freshness throughout an extended campaign.
Ekitiké also addressed his dismissal during the pre-match media session: "That wasn't intelligent. Clearly, I was very hard on myself. Watching the team from home on Saturday left me feeling let down. I offer my apologies to everyone, especially my teammates. Such incidents won't recur. I'm moving forward now and eagerly anticipating what's ahead."
Additionally, Ekitiké reaffirmed his commitment to the Liverpool transfer despite the club's record-breaking acquisition of Isak. "This institution represented the ideal option for me...It aligned perfectly with my aspirations. It proved to be the right decision. That's precisely why I selected Liverpool..."