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Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike has insisted that he welcomes the signing of Alexander Isak at Anfield just a few weeks after the Frenchman arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Ekitike could cost up to $106 million including add-ons and he was one of a number of new additions in the summer transfer window when Arne Slot's side went big in the market. Isak came in from Newcastle United on deadline day for a fee of around $169 million after a long drawn out saga.
While both players favor the central striking berth and Liverpool also has Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah to fit into the team with Florian Wirtz as a number 10 in behind, Ekitike is not worried. There will be more than enough minutes for everyone.
"When you play for the best teams, you inevitably expect to be competing with the best players," Ekitike said while on international duty with France, via the Evening Standard.
"Isak is a player I used to watch, so seeing him arrive is a pleasure. It's going to be tough competition, but I'm going to work hard to be good and perform well so that it's just the coach's problem."
Liverpool sold Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich this summer and then let Darwin Nunez join Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia. It also tragically lost Diogo Jota.
So while spending big on two number nines perhaps looked like something that was a luxury rather than a necessity, Slot could not leave himself short of attacking firepower.
Last season, he had six senior forwards to choose from and always had a way of changing the game from the bench. This season, the arrival of Isak has ensured that remains the case.
After Isak came in, Harvey Elliott was allowed to leave to join Aston Villa. Federico Chiesa ended up staying put after a tricky debut campaign, while Rio Ngumoha, now 17, has emerged as a serious option after a breakout summer.
"I think that was the right moment," Ekitike said when he was confirmed as a Liverpool player. "I came to the Bundesliga hungry, I wanted to show that I’m a good player and I can make the difference on the pitch.
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"I think I did well last season. Now, I feel ready to make a bigger step and to play on the highest level, to improve myself, to see what I can do. That’s why I think it’s the right timing for me and the perfect moment to come here.
"I feel very proud. Obviously it’s a big, big club. I’m just excited, I’m a bit like a kid. I’ve been dreaming to come and play in the Premier League. And to play for Liverpool is a big, big good feeling for me. I just can’t wait to start to play games and to win trophies."
Liverpool.com says: Ekitike can play wide and Isak won't play every minute. Had Liverpool not managed to get Isak over the line, it would have been worryingly short; as it is, it looks like the Reds have a good balance in that department, with plenty of goals and quality.
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