Liverpool don’t even need to complicate things by playing both ISAK and Ekitike… after international break we play every 3 days so they’ll just keep on rotating. ISAK isn’t even match fit yet to begin with so he’ll start slowly from the bench

UPDATE ‼️’I can’t’ – Hugo Ekitike’s feelings clear on Alexander Isak forcing Liverpool change

Hugo Ekitike has been in sensational form for Liverpool this season, but looks set to lose his place in Arne Slot’s side to Alexander Isak when the Swede completes his move to Anfield

Hugo Ekitike has made his feelings clear ahead of Alexander Isak’s arrival

Hugo Ekitike has already revealed he’s prepared to adapt his role to accommodate his Liverpool team-mates as they gear up to welcome Alexander Isak. The Swede will almost certainly become the club’s primary striker.

The French forward arrived at Anfield from Frankfurt for £79million this summer following his impressive displays in Germany. He’s made a brilliant start to his Merseyside career, finding the net in the Community Shield and Liverpool’s opening two Premier League fixtures this term.

Liverpool brought in Ekitike as they looked to add a focal point to their attacking play. At the time of his signing, Isak wasn’t anticipated to be available, but he subsequently became obtainable after making his desire to quit Newcastle United

The Reds are now set to splash out a British record £125m to secure his services, leaving them with two costly players competing for the same spot.

However, Ekitike has admitted he’s eager to offer multiple options and will shift positions if it benefits the squad, potentially relinquishing his status as the team’s leading striker, reports the Mirror.

Ekitike commented recently: “I mean, I do what the coach asks me to do, but yeah, I like to do everything. I can’t define myself only as a striker (who likes) to finish: I like to play, I like to be in the game, in the collective part of play (and) create also.

Isak looks set to pen a six-year deal on Merseyside

“So, I can do both – I can play alone and I like to play also with another striker and I think that’s what makes me versatile, but you know now in football you need to adapt.”

It’s yet to be seen how Arne Slot plans to utilise Isak and Ekitike in his attacking line-up, or if one of them will have to settle for less playing time. Equally, Ekitike could be pushed out wide, having shown a tendency to move into the channels.

Mohamed Salah has a firm hold on his position on the right, while Florian Wirtz has been brought in to play as a 10, making the prospect of Liverpool fielding two strikers unlikely.

Regardless, Ekitike’s admission that he will do whatever his coach asks of him highlights just how much of a team player he is, and how valuable he could be to manager Slot.

Speaking after Liverpool’s 3-2 victory over Newcastle last week, Slot was asked about Ekitike, and stated: “I think he has already made a big impact in the attacking part of our game.

“Not only scoring goals but also being part of build-up situations where he was someone that started the attack or was part of us starting an attack. I’m talking about a difference a bit more than last season, although when Lucho [Luis Diaz] played there he was also a lot of times part of our build-up.”

However, Isak’s influence could aid in the one area Slot believes Ekitike can grow in, as the manager continued: “What he can improve is his match fitness. I expect him to do even a lot, a lot more without the ball than he already does, because he’s already working hard.

How Liverpool could line up with Alexander Isak – and what happens to Hugo Ekitike?

The Reds have agreed a deal worth £125m to sign the Sweden international, who will sign a six-year contract at Anfield

Monday 01 September 2025 15:00 BST

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Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign Newcastle striker Alexander Isak in a £125m move, with the club finally getting their top target in a summer window that has seen them spend over £400m.

Despite winning the league at a canter last season, Liverpool quickly identified a recognised number nine as their main summer target, with Darwin Nunez failing last term before his move to Al-Hilal.

And the Reds are now set to pull off a Premier League record deal for their primary target, with the Sweden striker set to sign a six-year deal at Anfield to complete a frightening attacking line-up that also includes current PFA Player of the Year Mo Salah alongside £69m signing Hugo Ekitike.

But while the arrival of Isak will excite Liverpool fans, it does bring up questions over the signing of Ekitike, who plays in the same centre forward position as the Sweden striker but will surely be moved to accommodate him.

Isak scored in Newcastle’s Carabao Cup final win over Liverpool in March (Getty Images)

Given his exploits last season and his emergence as one of the world’s top strikers – as well as the enormous fee they’re paying for him – it is almost certain that Isak will line up in the No 9 position for Liverpool most weeks, though there is potential that he could line up as one of two strikers along Ekitike.