Stan Collymore names 'bargain' Liverpool transfer as partnership theory raised

Hugo Ekitike has impressed most out of Liverpool's three major summer signings, according to Stan Collymore, with the former Reds striker suggesting the forward could form a future strike partnership with Alexander Isak

Stan Collymore has offered his opinion(Image: FA Cup)

Stan Collymore understands the weight of expectation that accompanies being a high-profile Liverpool acquisition.

Therefore, the former Reds forward is perfectly positioned to assess the trio of marquee signings who arrived at Anfield this summer. And there's one player who has particularly caught the eye of the ex-England international. Liverpool's transfer activity was framed by the £116 million ($159.8 million) acquisition of Florian Wirtz and the drawn-out British record £125 million ($172.2 million) signing of Alexander Isak that dominated the headlines.

However, it was the capture of Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt in a deal that could ultimately reach £79 million ($108.8 million) that has proven most productive thus far this campaign, with 12 goals in 30 outings.

And Collymore, who held the British transfer record when he moved from Nottingham Forest to Liverpool for £8.5 million ($11.7 million) back in 1995, has outlined why he believes Ekitike has barely scratched the surface.

"I wouldn't say he's a bargain or a steal at nearly £80m, but at the moment he's the one that's done the best out of the three big signings in the summer," he said.

"Ekitike is a cracking player and will go on and have a great deal of success. He's an all-round very, very good striker.

Collymore believes Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike can form a partnership together(Image: Getty Images)

"He is very sharp and quick-thinking and that's why he can go on to be a success at Liverpool. If you play the ball into him at various angles where Liverpool have dominated the ball and the other teams have low blocks, he can move the ball off the line quickly or get a shot away.

"When you play the ball into him, he makes it stick. He can play the ball over the top, he has aggressive pace and his finishing in the box is excellent, one or two-touch finishing, he knows where he wants the ball to be before he puts it there."

Ekitike's influence has contrasted sharply with that of Isak, who faced early fitness struggles, then endured a groin injury and is currently sidelined following a leg fracture sustained before Christmas.

However, Collymore isn't prepared to dismiss the Sweden international and suggests Isak and Ekitike could form an effective striking partnership in the long term.

Speaking to the ECHO on behalf of BetWright, Collymore added: "It would be wrong of me to say he's got everything that Isak has got because Isak has done it in the Premier League and when Isak is purring, he's absolutely top class.

"But I don't think there's £30m-£40m worth of difference between them.

"At some point, and although we are now getting back into the era of long throws and Set-Piece FC and throwing corners and long free-kicks in, is it beyond the realms of possibility that they could play as a two when Isak is fit? I don't think it is.

"Especially nowadays, when central defenders mostly only have to play against one central striker. They both have the attributes and humility to work quite well together."