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Hugo Ekitike has received a harsh Liverpool reality check after Arne Slot chose to include record acquisition Alexander Isak in his starting lineup for Wednesday's Champions League encounter with Atletico Madrid.
The Reds made a blistering beginning at Anfield with Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah both finding the net within the opening five minutes. Robertson broke the deadlock when he deflected Salah's set-piece goalwards, leaving Jan Oblak stranded.
Salah then secured his third strike of the campaign almost instantly afterwards with a left-footed effort following a penetrating pass into the Atletico area by Ryan Gravenberch. Isak played no part in either strike and predictably his initial touches appeared slightly rusty.
Counting pre-season fixtures, this marks Isak's first appearance in the starting eleven for nearly four months, yet Ally McCoist anticipates him to feature consistently with Ekitike's playing time affected consequently.
When questioned by commentary colleague Darren Fletcher whether the latter was unlucky to be amongst the substitutes, McCoist ruthlessly responded: "He better get used to it."
Throughout the forthcoming weeks, Ekitike will almost certainly receive more opportunities than Isak however, with Slot's remarks before the Atletico fixture hinting at precisely that.
"There is definitely a chance, because he is in the squad," Slot said on Isak possibly making his debut during his pre-match press conference.
"Then there is a chance to play. Normally I would say 99.9 per cent sure, but I can say it's 100 per cent sure he will not play 90 minutes. But he is part of the squad.
"It is already a Champions League game to look forward to but if people look forward to his playing time, that could mean that could happen tomorrow as well.
"The only thing that is sure is he will not play 90, and all the rest you will see tomorrow."
Following the October international break, Isak may well emerge as the undisputed first-choice striker, though with numerous fixtures ahead this campaign, Ekitike will almost certainly be handed his fair share of opportunities.
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