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Arne Slot has explained why Liverpool signed both Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike during the summer, and revealed that Diogo Jota’s tragic passing ultimately played a part in the decision.
Both Isak and Ekitike arrived for big money from Newcastle and Eintracht Frankfurt respectively, with the former’s $169 million switch from St James’ Park seeing Liverpool break the Premier League’s transfer record.
There has been much discussion about how the pair will be utilized, with many supporters expecting Isak to become the first-choice No.9, although Ekitike’s impressive start has complicated matters.
Liverpool was always expected to go into the market for a new striker, with Darwin Nunez having been long touted for an exit before he eventually left for Al-Hilal in August. Jota’s devastating passing earlier in the summer though left a big hole for the club.
Having been asked whether Victor Osimhen had been a target for Liverpool before it eventually landed on Ekitike and Isak, Slot explained how the club came to the decision to sign both players.
“Yes, we’ve added two number nines,” Slot said during his pre-match press conference ahead of the Champions League clash with Galatasaray.
“How should I say this in the right way in English? Unfortunate is not the right word I should use, but because of an enormous tragedy that happened with Diogo Jota, in the end we had to bring in two number nines.
“We always thought we were going to replace Darwin Nunez with one number nine, but we had to bring in two.
“We’re always looking for very good players, but it was always clear to us from the start that we wanted to bring in these two if we needed to.”
With Ekitike back available following his suspension at the weekend, Slot will have to decide on the best way to utilize both of his new strikers against Galatasaray on Tuesday.
The prospect of both playing was put to Ekitike ahead of the game, with the French international not ruling it out.
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“I think it’s good. We play in such a big club, I can’t see one big club just playing with only one striker, so I think it’s good that he’s [Isak] here,” Ekitike said.
“I think I still have a lot of things to improve and learn. For me, it’s good that he’s here, and that’s for the coach to decide how he wants to play.
“Obviously, it’s great players, I’ve been playing in two-striker compositions, one striker, so I can do a lot of things. If we have to play together, I can do that.”
English (US) ·