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Liverpool has committed to spending up to $106 million (£79 million) to sign Hugo Ekitike this summer, with the former Eintracht Frankfurt forward impressing in his performances to date.
But the Reds remain interested in the Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, with Jamie Carragher questioning this week whether the dynamic would work for both players to be signed in one window. For now, the North East side has continued to insist that Isak is not for sale — though there is still time for that stance to soften.
Carragher, speaking ahead of the new Premier League campaign kicking off, felt that buying Ekitike for so much money and then making him second choice to Isak would be a bad move.
The counter-argument, of course, is that Liverpool has to replenish the options that it has lost in attack this summer. Bringing Isak in now and no other forwards would still leave the Reds slightly lacking in numbers, at least compared to last season.
With Luis Diaz having been sold to Bayern Munich, one option would be for Ekitike to be moved out onto the wing at times. Cody Gakpo won't be able to play every single game, while Rio Ngumoha is not yet 17.
But France legend Thierry Henry, who is a big fan of Ekitike, says that shouldn't be considered. The ex-Arsenal and Barcelona forward believes that Ekitike needs to play down the middle.
"Arne Slot will figure out what he wants to do with him, but for me, he’s a nine," Henry told Betfair. "Liverpool already have exactly what they need on the wing.
"They were waiting to get that guy; they paid a lot to get him. He’s a nine. Can he play on the left or right? Yes, he’s versatile because he has speed.
"But this is what I’m saying: you were never going to ask Alan Shearer to play on the left or right, right? So yes, he’s a nine."
Ekitike looked very good against Crystal Palace in the Community Shield last weekend but was only able to play 70 minutes having arrived later than some of his teammates for pre-season.
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Later today, he is expected to play his first competitive match at Anfield against Bournemouth, leading the line for Slot's side as they get the new campaign underway as champions.
Heading into the first round of Premier League games, Eddie Howe says Isak won't be playing for Newcastle against Aston Villa. The Magpies boss has insisted, though, that nothing has changed regarding that situation just yet.
Liverpool.com says: There is no question that Ekitike is best deployed down the middle. Even if Isak arrives, however, there will be enough minutes to go around. Liverpool will be playing a lot of games this season and it needs sufficient depth in attack.
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