Liverpool star Hugo Ekitike compared to Didier Drogba but fired Alexander Isak warning

Hugo Ekitike has scored five goals in his last three Premier League games for Liverpool, and he might need to step up again if Alexander Isak is out for a lengthy period

Hugo Ekitike during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham.(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike didn't have a perfect game overall against Tottenham — few in a Reds jersey did — but the Frenchman has scored five goals in his last three Premier League appearances now for Arne Slot's side.

There was some chatter that Ekitike might have fouled Cristian Romero as he headed the ball home from a Jeremie Frimpong cross, but the referee, John Brooks, was uninterested. After a brief VAR check, it was allowed to stand.

"I think it's not [a foul]," Shay Given said on Match of the Day. "You can see Romero have a look at him... [the cross] takes a little nick, I just think Ekitike gets up early.

"His hang time... I know we've seen in the past Alan Shearer and Didier Drogba powering over a defender... he's got the run and jump over Romero. I think the referee's got it right; VAR didn't get involved."

Alexander Isak also scored for Liverpool but he picked up what appeared to be a potentially serious injury. If the Swede is missing for a period, Ekitike will only become even more important.

"It's a big loss if Alexander Isak is injured again," Given continued. "He's had a stop-start campaign to his Liverpool career.

Ekitike scored again against Spurs(Image: Liverpool FC, Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

"Ekitike looks the real deal, a brilliant striker. He'll have to step up; Mo Salah's left for AFCON. Ekitike will have to keep fit because it's a big loss if Alexander is out for a few weeks."

Arne Slot was unable to give a proper update on the injuries that Liverpool sustained in the fixture.

"I don't have any news on [Isak], but if a player scores, then gets injured and then doesn't come back on the pitch and doesn't try to come back [it's not a good sign]," Slot said in his post-match press conference.

"Conor Bradley, for example, did, but I had to take him off as well because he couldn't go on, but if a player doesn't even try to come back that's usually not a good thing.

"I cannot say anything more than that. That is just [a] gut feeling. Nothing medical to say about it. I haven't spoken to him about it yet.

"It's a good thing that he scored: a good goal, assisted by Florian Wirtz. I said last week already, players are getting better and the team is getting better.

"Again, it wasn't perfect today, especially not in the last 10 minutes, but in the meantime we pick up points and I see the team developing in a way I like to see."

Liverpool.com says: Losing Isak for a period of time, which seems inevitable, would be a nightmare. As well as Ekitike is playing, the $169 million (£125 million) just needs some luck. So far, he hasn't had any at Anfield.