Liverpool's Dream Attack: How Klopp Could Unleash Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike Together
Arne Slot must feel like a child on Christmas morning each day this summer.
The Dutch manager's latest exciting acquisition seems perpetually within reach. Liverpool's summer expenditure is approaching £300 million ($400 million), having refreshed their fullback positions and substantially strengthened their offensive line with the record-setting signing of Florian Wirtz.
The highly sought-after Hugo Ekitiké has also arrived at Anfield alongside Wirtz, yet Slot, despite already transforming his attacking options, remains determined to pursue another star player: Alexander Isak.
Many might question whether adding the Newcastle United forward represents excessive spending, but Slot, who expertly balanced his squad last season to guide Liverpool to the Premier League championship, will have strategic plans for deploying two elite strikers in his lineup for 2025–26 and future campaigns.
Here's how Liverpool might deploy both Isak and Ekitiké.
Dual-Striker Formation
Prior to Omar Marmoush's January transfer to Manchester City, he formed a devastating partnership with Ekitiké at Eintracht Frankfurt.
The French striker's proven ability to operate within a striking partnership suggests he could collaborate effectively with Isak at Anfield, though this would likely necessitate tactical adjustments from Slot. Defensively, minimal changes would be required. Liverpool frequently defended using a 4-2-4 formation last season, with advanced midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai joining the initial pressing phase.
Instead, both forwards would spearhead the Reds' pressing game, with Liverpool likely transitioning to a 4-4-2 formation in possession, though there would be flexibility to evolve further, potentially into a 3-2-5 setup, depending on both fullbacks' positioning.
A dual-striker approach shouldn't compromise Mohamed Salah's effectiveness on the right wing, while Cody Gakpo remains the most experienced option on the left. However, questions arise regarding where record acquisition Wirtz would feature in this setup. Additionally, Isak and Ekitiké's comparable positional preferences might restrict their partnership's effectiveness.
The Frenchman managed this potential challenge excellently alongside Marmoush.
Flexible Wide Rotation
Slot's preferred formation was a flexible 4-2-3-1 last season, and Ekitiké previously functioned as a wide forward when Frankfurt employed a back four. The Frenchman isn't a traditional winger, but he excels at dropping from striker positions and drifting wide.
Ekitiké typically moves to the left side, where he can collect possession and cut inside. After moving centrally, he can then link up with the striker around the opposition's penalty area. Isak, similar to Marmoush's role, would capitalize on his partner's ability to evade pressure and unlock matches through his dribbling skills. The Swedish striker excels at positioning himself behind defenders and timing his forward runs perfectly.
Isak could therefore start centrally in a 4-2-3-1 with Ekitiké beginning on the left wing, but the fluid movement Slot encourages among his attackers means both players will continuously interchange positions. Isak is equally comfortable rotating to the left flank, delivering one of the 2023–24 season's finest assists at Goodison Park after working down the sideline and outmaneuvering multiple Everton defenders before setting up Jacob Murphy.
Space for One
Ekitiké's ability is exceptional, but the 23-year-old remains a developing player. Isak, conversely, was among Europe's top-performing strikers last season. He's as Premier League-tested as they come.
His apparent desire to depart Newcastle has captured Liverpool's attention, who might have been satisfied with acquiring only Ekitiké to enhance their striker options this summer.
While Slot would ideally incorporate both summer signings into the same starting eleven, there might only be space for one. The Liverpool manager must consider German star Wirtz, which makes a two-striker system improbable. Furthermore, there's no assurance that Ekitiké and Isak will develop the type of connection that brought the Frenchman such success with Marmoush at Frankfurt.
From a tactical balance standpoint, it might simply prove ineffective. Slot may prefer having Gakpo on the left wing, Salah on the right, while Wirtz operates behind Isak. Ekitiké could be gradually integrated initially.