1 week ago
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Liverpool should look to play Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike alongside each other to kickstart its misfiring attack, according to the former Reds striker Emile Heskey.
Heskey says Mohamed Salah's early-season form at Anfield is a worry, but while some have suggested that the experienced former Juventus forward Federico Chiesa could be the answer, he isn't so convinced about the Italian becoming a regular starter. Jeremie Frimpong has sometimes flattered to deceive, too.
"It looked promising, but when you're buying the players that you're buying, it was always going to look promising," Heskey told Liverpool.com. "The difficulty is gelling it all together.
"It doesn't look like they're coming together, and they're working on the same page. There is some work to be done for the manager to get them firing on all cylinders.
"Do they have time? That's the key thing. It's about finding what works for all of them and at this moment, Mo Salah is not doing great.
"Liverpool have two outstanding forwards in Isak and Ekitike, but they don't generally play with two because they like wingers high and wide.
"Do you take Salah out and make it two up front with one in behind? That's an interesting proposal because I think that could look good — but then how do you defend when it breaks down?
"Going forward, a 4-4-2 diamond or some sort of formation that has two up front would be good."
Getting Ekitike into the team feels like an inevitable move that Arne Slot can make. The Frenchman has played well this season and could start against his former club, Eintracht Frankfurt, on Wednesday.
"Ekitike will be feeling hard done by because he started the season well," Heskey says. "Then he sees himself on the bench and as a player, you want momentum. You want to play consistently.
"If you look at his start, he did well — scoring goals and creating chances. But he is a young lad. He is still learning and we know how fast and furious the Premier League is."
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A considerably more experienced option to come into the Liverpool attack would be Chiesa — but Heskey isn't convinced.
"I like Chiesa," the ex-England ace, speaking on behalf of BetBrain, continued. "Last season, I went to Southampton in the cup and he did really well. That was the first I'd seen of him since he came.
"He comes on and has an impact and he has an eye for a goal, but I'm not sure about him starting. We talk about these players that come on and make an impact, but when they start, the intensity is a little bit different.
"I like him, but I think he is probably more of an impact player."
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