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Former Manchester City star Joleon Lescott has suggested that Arne Slot should bench striker Hugo Ekitike in favor of Alexander Isak.
The Swedish forward finally completed his move to Anfield on deadline day. Isak set a new record for the most expensive British transfer when he made the switch from Newcastle.
His arrival, following a contentious transfer saga, pushed Liverpool's summer spending over the $500 million mark, with Frenchman Ekitike also costing a hefty fee following his move from Eintracht Frankfurt. Ekitike has started his Liverpool career in fine form, scoring in the Reds' Community Shield loss and their first two Premier League matches.
However, Lescott is convinced that Ekitike will be relegated to the substitutes' bench, making room for Isak in the attack, rather than being part of Slot's starting XI ahead of Cody Gakpo on the left wing.
"You [Ekitike] can be on the Liverpool bench. You can be sitting down," acknowledged Lescott, speaking on In The Mixer, brought to you by Sky Bet. "We've seen it happen to other teams. [Julian] Alvarez sat down, and he was banging in goals behind [Erling] Haaland for Manchester City.
"They [Liverpool's new signings] don't have to all fit in, that's the thing. If you're playing in Champions League games, it's not like, 'Oh, I'm seen in the second team.'
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"If you're missing league games to play in the League Cup, then I understand you may feel like that. But if you're playing in the Champions League and it's a massive game...
"They've got some tough games this season, Liverpool. If you're playing Real Madrid and then on the weekend it's Man City, there is no lesser game."
When questioned whether Isak would feature in both matches, former Aston Villa defender Lescott remained adamant that Slot would shuffle his team and replied: "No chance."
Having recruited a number of elite talents during the summer window, Lescott is equally convinced Liverpool will compete for multiple trophies this campaign, declaring: "They have to win something. One of the big two [Premier League and Champions League]. That's if everyone stays fit.
"What if, God forbid it happens, what if they lose Virgil [van Dijk] to injury? Put it that way. Anyway, they do have to challenge [for all competitions]. They would have regardless."
Liverpool sought to complete a deadline-day move for Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guehi, who would have provided perfect defensive cover.
Nevertheless, despite a medical being conducted, complications with Palace securing a replacement and manager Oliver Glasner's firm position resulted in the transfer collapsing.
Lescott weighed in on Guehi's predicament, stating: "Marc will be all right. He'll leave on a free [next year]. It [a move] might come in January, but he deserved it now."
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