‘Liverpool have the next Alan Shearer’ – Huge boost after Alexander Isak injury
Alexander Isak has endured a miserable start to his Liverpool career and things may have just got worse after an apparent injury vs Tottenham.
Arne Slot’s side beat nine-man Spurs 2-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, in a game packed full of controversial incidents.
Xavi Simons saw a straight red card for a studs-up challenge on Virgil van Dijk, while Cristian Romero’s kick out at Ibrahima Konate earned him a second yellow.
However, much of the focus following the game was set on Isak, who limped off after a strong challenge from Micky van de Ven, shortly after his opening goal.
Another injury to the British record £125million signing has piled on the misery for Slot, who is now in desperate need of his other key players to step up.
Hugo Ekitike to step up in Alexander Isak’s absence
Despite Isak’s inconsistency and new injury concern, however, Hugo Eikitike is being backed to continue his strong form as Liverpool’s leading man.
The 23-year-old has enjoyed a strong start to his Anfield career despite a tricky season so far, and has scored 11 goals in 24 appearances since arriving from Frankfurt.
With Isak expected to miss “a number of weeks” and Mohamed Salah leaving to participate in AFCON, Slot will now be relying on the Frenchman’s form to continue.
Speaking live on Match of the Day [20 November], the former Newcastle goalkeeper explained: “He gets up early [for his goal], the hang-time, we’ve seen it in the past with Shearer or Drogba when they overpower the defender.
“It’s a big loss if Alexander Isak has gone off injured again, he’s had a stop-start beginning to his Liverpool career.
“But Ekitike, he looks the real deal doesn’t he? He’ll have to step up, and obviously Mo Salah has left as well to go to AFCON.
“Ekitike needs to stay fit because it’s a big loss if Isak is out for a number of weeks now as well.”
Liverpool fans have been wowed by Ekitike since his arrival, with the striker stepping up despite others struggling, and he will now be called on to lead their efforts again.
Florian Wirtz hands Liverpool another huge boost
Alongside the positives surrounding Ekitike’s performance, Liverpool have also been handed a major boost as Florian Wirtz may finally have arrived.
The Germany international has had a tough start to life in the Premier League, but Wirtz stunned in Liverpool’s win vs Tottenham as he picked up his first assist.
This comes shortly after Liverpool fans gushed over Wirtz following an impressive display in the 2-0 win against West Ham, with some consistency beginning to show.
The midfielder’s form since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen had been a major concern for Liverpool given the money spent to bring him in during the summer.
However, things are beginning to click for him, and it couldn’t have come at a better time for Slot amid ongoing pressure and Salah’s absence for AFCON.
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