Liverpool told it made one of the three best signings of the summer along with Man Utd star

Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha says Liverpool made one of the best signings of the summer — but not Alexander Isak or Florian Wirtz.

Instead, he has picked out Hugo Ekitike, who was brought in from Eintracht Frankfurt for a fee that could reach $106 million (£79 million), including add-ons. The French striker has scored five goals in all competitions after starting well, but has slightly tailed off since, in part with Alexander Isak brought into the team as he continues to build up fitness.

"For me, the best signing is between Ekitike and Bryan Mbeumo," Saha told Pundit Arena. "I think Nick Woltemade has been brilliant too; I love him.

"I think those three have been the standout players so far, but I think that Mbeumo has probably been the very best of the three. He’s playing for a side that is in transition.

"Ekitike is playing for the league champions, and Woltemade arrived at a team that is in the Champions League. They both have their problems, of course, but I think Manchester United were in the toughest place at the start of the season.

"I’ve seen United struggle, and how hard it was for Mbeumo, and he’s done brilliantly to raise standards at the club and keep his own standards up."

Ekitike will be pushing for a start against Sunderland this midweek, with Isak, who opened the scoring at the weekend, preferred at number nine against West Ham.

During the international break, he played off the left flank for France, which could be a route to minutes at club level too, though Cody Gakpo did score and assist at the London Stadium.

"Even if Isak scored a goal, for one hour he was appalling for me," Frank Lebouf told ESPN.

"If I am Ekitike, my fellow [French] compatriot, I would be very upset because, when he came on, we saw the difference with his involvement, his technique, what he does for the team and the chances he can create.

"I would be very upset because, ‘OK, my price tag is less than Isak but my performances are better’. Isak scored — good, that saves his performance — but that wasn’t enough.

"It was funny to see him being very surprised to be substituted. It was only fair to Ekitike."

Liverpool.com says: Ekitike is a top player but so too are Wirtz and Isak. In time, Arne Slot will have to find a way of playing with all of them, but if he can get the balance right, it is a mouthwatering prospect.

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