With Premier League football on hold, Liverpool are eager to restart their campaign with a statement win after three consecutive defeats. But as attention turns to their attacking setup, fans can’t stop talking about Hugo Ekitike — and what they see as Arne Slot’s big mistake so far.
Signed from Eintracht Frankfurt for £79 million after fending off interest from Newcastle United, Ekitike made an instant impact by scoring on his debut in the Community Shield. Yet, he’s still waiting for his first full 90 minutes under Slot. The 23-year-old, who recently started for France alongside Kylian Mbappé in a 3–0 win over Azerbaijan, has already caught the attention of Didier Deschamps.
Liverpool’s summer was packed with big arrivals — Ekitike, Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez — but it’s Isak’s presence that’s creating a selection dilemma. The Swedish striker, still recovering full fitness after his move from Newcastle, remains Slot’s go-to option up top.
Ekitike, however, isn’t shying away from the challenge.
> “It’s fun. You expect tough competition when you’re at a top club,” he said. “Isak’s arrival motivates me even more.”
After seeing Ekitike combine effortlessly with Mbappé for France, Liverpool fans are demanding that Slot try an Isak–Ekitike front two. Social media is full of frustration:
> “Deschamps can make Ekitike work with Mbappé — Slot should try him with Isak.”
Another fan wrote:
> “Playing one and benching the other is wasting talent. They’d destroy defences together.”
Ekitike’s stats tell their own story — 3 goals, 1 assist, and a 7.11 average rating in limited minutes — proof he’s ready for more responsibility.
Now, with Manchester United coming to Anfield after the break, fans are calling for Slot to make the bold move. Many believe pairing Ekitike and Isak could be the key to reigniting Liverpool’s season.
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