2 weeks ago
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Jamie Carragher has reiterated his reservations about the signing of Alexander Isak, arguing that it has resulted in Hugo Ekitike - whom he considers Liverpool's "best signing" - being relegated to the bench.
Liverpool suffered a fourth consecutive defeat on Sunday as Manchester United clinched a stunning victory at Anfield. This further exacerbated the problems on Merseyside, with the Reds in turmoil despite a summer spending spree of around $600 million.
The largest portion of this expenditure, a Premier League record transfer fee, was used to secure Isak from Newcastle for £125 million ($167.3 million). He joined a championship-winning team that had already signed Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Frenchman made an impressive start, scoring in his first three appearances for the Reds.
However, Isak's arrival has seen Ekitike fall down the pecking order, and he has started on the bench for the last two matches.
Carragher maintains that this situation is not beneficial for the team and is still trying to figure out how head coach Arne Slot can create a winning formula from his squad.
Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: "Every Liverpool supporter has been having sleepless nights trying to work out what system they should play and players they should use. Liverpool's business didn't feel Liverpool-like, it felt Real Madrid-like in terms of buying the most expensive players.
"Ekitike has been Liverpool's best signing, on the bench. And Wirtz, on the bench. When you spend that type of money, the people who spent it want to see them on the pitch. I was one of the few who wasn't big on Isak coming in.
"It is not good for Isak having Ekitike on the bench - he knows if he doesn't do something in the first 60 minutes, then he could be off."
Ekitike tops the scoring charts, finding the net five times across all competitions. Isak, meanwhile, has managed just one goal, which came against Southampton in the Carabao Cup.
His lack of clinical finishing has drawn criticism, but Carragher believes they must feature together.
"I think Slot has to find a way of getting both of them on the pitch," he said. "I am trying to wrack my brain. At some stage, he has to try and make that work. It was a Real Madrid summer - I think he now has to be a Madrid manager."
Carragher has previously highlighted how Carlo Ancelotti, during his tenure at the Bernabeu, would embrace new arrivals that didn't necessarily fit his tactical approach, before devising methods to incorporate all his top players into the starting XI.
Slot experienced a summer of upheaval but kept hold of Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo whilst bringing in Ekitike, Isak and German playmaker Florian Wirtz, with expectations mounting on the head coach to unleash their attacking potential.
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