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Hugo Ekitike has been assured he will play plenty of games at Liverpool - even with Alexander Isak now in the picture.
Both players are vying to be the Reds’ first-choice striker after making big-money moves to Anfield in the summer. Having broken the Premier League record to land Isak though, many fans and pundits are expecting Isak to get the nod over Ekitike on a regular basis.
The former made his first league start on Saturday in the 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace, with Ekitike having been absent through suspension. The French international is back available though for tomorrow’s Champions League game against Galatasaray in Turkey, and is likely to feature in some capacity as Isak’s minutes continue to be monitored closely.
Ekitike has made a superb start to life on Merseyside, which has complicated matters even more. The 23-year-old has five goals from eight appearances so far, ensuring that it’s not such an easy decision for Arne Slot to make.
And, speaking to football betting site talkSPORT Bet, former Scotland international Ally McCoist insisted the pair will get plenty of game time between them.
“I was at the opening game, the Community Shield, and I was at the Everton game,” McCoist said. “The fans like Hugo Ekitike, by the way. Don't worry about it. They really like him, and so they should, because I think he's looked terrific.
“I really think he's looked terrific. However, he'll play both of them. Probably not at the same time, but it doesn't matter if Isak goes on and scores.
“There will be games where Arne Slot will leave him out for his own good, you know, in terms of preparation for massive games, because Liverpool want to be involved and are involved in all the competitions, and it does take its toll.
“They are in a position of strength, and they brought in these players. You've probably got two players, you know, in just about every position. They've got Jeremie Frimpong and all these guys, Milos Kerkez, Andy Robertson, fullbacks.
“The one thing you might be thinking about was center-backs, but then Joe Gomez played the other night there, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk.
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“They've got players all over the place. But I do take the point, if Isak gets in and he scores. But it's not like it was 20, 30 years ago. Even if you go in and do your job as a £125 million center-forward and score goals, there will be a point you'll get left out.
“That's just the mechanics of the top flight at this moment in time.”
Liverpool.com says: There shouldn't really be any concerns over playing time for either Ekitike or Isak. As McCoist points out, Liverpool is battling on four fronts, and will need as many options as it can get.
What's more, Isak is still effectively going through his own version of pre-season as he tries to get up to speed with the rest of his teammates. Ekitike, therefore, is crucial in ensuring that his fellow striker isn't overworked, and it helps that he's regularly finding the back of the net as well.
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