Arne Slot listens to Paul Merson's urgent Liverpool advice - 'Has to'

Sky Sports broadcaster Paul Merson had one name in mind when urging Arne Slot to make a key decision for Saturday's Premier League game against Tottenham in London

Arne Slot has been told to make an important selection decision(Image: Getty Images)

Arne Slot was urged to keep Hugo Ekitike in his starting line-up against Tottenham by Paul Merson.

And the Liverpool boss has listened, with Ekitike being selected ahead of Alexander Isak. The Reds have made the journey to London for the Saturday clash, where a win would put them level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea. A victory would also see the reigning Premier League champions extend their unbeaten run to six games across all competitions.

Among the key performers in Liverpool's return to positive results has been the Frenchman. Joining for an initial fee of $94 million (£64 million) this past summer, Ekitike has undoubtedly been the best signing of Arne Slot's colossal transfer outlay.

With 10 goals to his name this season, the 23-year-old has bagged braces in his last two league games against Leeds and Brighton.

It's not just his potency in front of goal that has made him a fan favorite at Anfield, but his overall brilliance on the ball and his ability to link up with his teammates.

Ekitike's growing importance to Liverpool's chances of success has left Merson in a state of absolute certainty when admitting Slot must play Ekitike ahead of the struggling Isak at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

In his weekly Premier League predictions column for Sportskeeda, the Arsenal icon wrote: "Hugo Ekitike has to start ahead of Alexander Isak in this game. When we look at Isak’s struggles, it just reminds us how important it is to have a proper pre-season.

Hugo Ekitike has scored 10 goals for Liverpool this season(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

"Liverpool could be in the top four or top five if they win, so they should play Ekitike."

Ekitike was forced off against Brighton with cramp, but it was a moment Slot admitted meant his striker has continued adapting to the speed and physicality of the Premier League.

Speaking after the victory, Slot said: "Just before I took him off, there was a moment he could hardly walk anymore because of cramp. What I see with him is all the players we brought had to adapt to the Premier League because of intensity.

"Some of them had to adapt to the Premier League and the Champions League.

"I see all of them making progress in that. Hugo had cramp today, but I can assure you he did twice as much at the beginning of the season when I had to take him off, and that is what this league brings as well.

Arne Slot said the Frenchman is continuing to adapt well to English football(Image: KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)

"If you cannot be intense, it is so hard to win a game of football. The best athletes play in this league."

Ekitike's impressive form saw him come in for high praise from ex-Reds midfielder Danny Murphy, who paid tribute to the Frenchman's coolness and confidence.

“He [Ekitike] has been the shining light of the new signings. You could argue he's been, with [Dominik] Szoboszlai, probably Liverpool's best player this season,” said the former England ace on Match of the Day.

“The whole team started well. There was a great urgency about them. Ekitike, for your first chance in the game, that is something. He’s a confident lad. He plays free, I think.

"He seems to have complete belief in himself. He'll take shots on from wherever. He wants to score goals and get himself in good positions."