Alexander Isak vs Hugo Ekitike: Arne Slot now knows who starts for Liverpool against Burnley
Liverpool boss Arne Slot will have a great idea of which of his star strikers he should start in attack against Burnley this weekend based off the events of the international break.
Liverpool did not rest on their laurels throughout the transfer window following Premier League glory, with numerous adjustments made to their forward-line, namely the respective arrivals of both Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak.
Ekitike’s move to Liverpool was confirmed in July, with the deal to take him to Anfield reportedly worth around £69million up-front [BBC] after he had scored 15 times in 33 Bundesliga appearances for Eintracht Frankfurt last season.
The Reds continued to spend frugally right up to the deadline, though, and the exits of both Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez allowed them to pursue their main target, Isak, as he demanded to be allowed to leave Newcastle.
After playing no part in the Magpies’ first two league games amid his desire to leave, Isak finally sealed his move to Liverpool on deadline day for a British transfer record fee of £125million [BBC], and Slot will now have a big decision to make as he joins up with his squad and provides competition to Ekitike for the trip to Turf Moor.
Arne Slot must stick by Hugo Ekitike v Burnley with Alexander Isak still not match-fit
Both players departed Merseyside for international duty last week, with Ekitike’s fine early Liverpool form earning him a maiden call-up to the France senior squad, while Isak was named in Sweden’s squad despite not playing a game of any kind since May.
Isak failed to appear off the bench as Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side drew 2-2 with Slovenia on Friday (5 September), but was then called upon to make an impact against Kosovo on Monday (8 September) with his side 2-0 down late on.
The 25-year-old did not make an instant impact as he was booked and missed a big chance to reduce the deficit, and his performance reinforced his need to increase his match fitness, as does the sheer fact that he was not handed an opportunity to start either key World Cup qualifying game.
It is clear that Sweden head-coach Tomasson is not wholly convinced by Isak’s fitness after four months without playing a competitive match, and his thoughts should be shared by Arne Slot heading into the Reds’ game against the Clarets on Sunday (14 September).
In stark comparison, Ekitike has been mightily impressive in a red shirt so far this season, with three goals and an assist in his first four games for the club, which earned him a first Les Bleus call-up and an international debut against Ukraine on Friday.
It could not be more clear that Slot must stick by him from the off against Burnley, with Isak only used off the bench if Liverpool are either chasing the game or, the more likely outcome, they are a few goals ahead late on.
Hugo Ekitike looks the real deal for Liverpool
While Isak will surely find his feet at Liverpool in the weeks and months to come, Slot need not worry about having to drop Ekitike right now after his electric start to life on Merseyside.
The Frenchman has taken it all in his stride, and does not seem to have been affected by Liverpool signing Isak in the final week of the transfer window, despite the fact that he will provide fierce competition for places in attack.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 64 | 26 | 14 |
All three of his goals have been very well-taken, and he has already instantly improved the Reds’ forward line after the sale of Nunez to Al-Hilal earlier in the summer, who was always too inconsistent to nail down a starting place.
He has also welcomed Isak’s arrival in a mature manner, which will impress Slot, after he was recently asked about his move and provided this response: “When you play for the best teams, you expect to be competing with the best players. It’s going to be tough competition, but I’m going to focus on performing well so that it’s a problem for the manager.”
The capture of the Swede could eventually see Ekitike shifted out to the left-wing to free up the striker spot, but the Reds will know that his versatility allows him to play across the forward line, and he does not seem likely to give up his place too easily in the coming weeks.