After Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak were deployed together in the Champions League, one former Liverpool star made a demand to Arne Slot concerning the forwards
Arne Slot has been told to start Hugo Ekitike at all costs after the Liverpool forward’s well-rounded performance against Eintracht Frankfurt. For the first time, Alexander Isak, Ekitike and Florian Wirtz were all deployed together in a starting frontline worth around £320m.
Slot dropped Mohamed Salah to start Isak, Ekitike, Wirtz and Cody Gakpo in an attacking quartet, which saw the Merseysiders run out 5-1 winners away to the Bundesliga side. Ekitike levelled the game after Rasmus Kristensen gave the home side the lead.
While the Frenchman also demonstrated his link-up play and danger in behind, Isak was substituted at half time with an injury and replaced by Federico Chiesa. Wirtz also made two assists, his first goal contributions since his £116million arrival from Bayer Leverkusen.
READ MORE: Arne Slot confirms why Liverpool striker Alexander Isak was hooked off at half-timeREAD MORE: Diogo Jota gesture spotted at Frankfurt vs Liverpool Champions League clash shows real class
However, the plaudits were reserved for Ekitike, with both Steve McManaman and Owen Hargreaves calling for him to be one of the first names on the team-sheet. Speaking on TNT Sports, former Reds midfielder McManaman said: “He’s a starter all the time. He’s their best forward isn’t he?”
Hargreaves, when asked if Ekitike has proven he should be the No. 1 choice at centre-forward, said: “Yeah, one hundred per cent.
“Not only that, there were times today when he dropped as a No. 10, received the ball and turned. He’s a beautiful footballer. Obviously, [he’s got] size, technically [he’s good].
“It looks like he can embrace the pressure of what it’s like to play for a massive club like Liverpool. He has to be a guaranteed starter at the moment.”
After the match, Ekitike made it clear he enjoys playing alongside Isak and is looking forward to establishing a greater connection with the Premier League’s most expensive player. He said: “I think it was good.
“It wasn’t the best half together but we can improve together, he is a very good player. The links will come.”
However, it’s possible he may have to wait to play with Isak again. In his post-match interview, Slot explained Isak was taken off at half time because of a groin injury.
The Dutchman said: “He had to go off the pitch because he felt his groin a little bit, which is a pity. I’ve said many times it is such a difficult balance to find with a player that missed three months.
“You go slowly with him and people argue about playing him longer. We’ve now played him for the second time in three days and unfortunately he had to go off.
“Let’s hope for the best but it is not an easy balance to find when a player has been out for so long.”
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