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Alan Shearer has jokingly warned Alexander Isak that he wouldn't be guaranteed a starting berth at Liverpool following Hugo Ekitike's excellent debut performance.
The Reds kicked off their Premier League season with a thrilling 4-2 triumph over Bournemouth on Friday evening, with Ekitike stealing the spotlight. The French forward, who joined in a transfer worth up to $106 million (£79 million) including add-ons from Eintracht Frankfurt, made an immediate impression having also impressed in the Community Shield last week.
He broke the deadlock by calmly finding the net before the interval and subsequently turned creator, setting up Cody Gakpo to double the advantage. Bournemouth mounted a spirited comeback through Antoine Semenyo's brace, but were ultimately undone in the closing stages.
Federico Chiesa struck with a well-placed shot into the corner before Mohamed Salah joined the party by firing in yet another goal on the opening day of a new season.
While Liverpool's defensive display raised concerns, with Bournemouth looking dangerous on the counter-attack, its revamped attacking unit looked formidable, with Ekitike claiming the Player of the Match accolade.
With Isak declining to feature for Newcastle in a bid to engineer a switch to Liverpool, Ekitike's showing didn't escape Shearer's attention.
"Surely any forward thinking of going to Liverpool will be having second thoughts now having to play second fiddle to the brilliant Ekitike all season?" he posted on X alongside a few emojis.
Liverpool has had one offer of around $148 million (£110 million) turned down by Newcastle for Isak. So far, the North East side has not opened the door for a fresh proposal to be submitted.
The Swedish striker has not returned to training with Newcastle, though, and he remains eager to make a move to Anfield, where there's a vacancy in the team.
Liverpool parted ways with Darwin Núñez and Luis Diaz this summer following the heartbreaking loss of Diogo Jota, and Arne Slot has expressed his desire for another forward to be added to the squad.
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Ahead of the Bournemouth match, Slot said: "I see Hugo mainly as a No.9 that could also play from the left or together with another No.9. We need to have one more attacker at least."
Isak hasn't been with his Newcastle teammates recently and still has a fortnight before the transfer window shuts to secure his move. However, Eddie Howe maintains that there's a path back for the 25-year-old at St James' Park.
"I want him to play. I want him to train," he stated on Friday. "I've had those conversations [with Isak] but the details of those will remain private.
"There is no change to the situation. All my focus has been on the training, Aston Villa and the transfer front in terms of getting players in — that is all-consuming for me. Alex's situation has been unchanged for a while and that will continue to be the case."
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