Arne Slot urged to find answer to £194m question as Liverpool problem emerges

Hugo Ekitike has made a flying start to life at Liverpool, but questions remain over the Frenchman’s relationship with Alexander Isak and how Arne Slot will deploy his attacking options

Former Arsenal forward Jeremie Aliadiere has urged Liverpool head coach Arne Slot to find a solution to his attacking problems as he raised questions over Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak. Aliadiere has confessed that the France international has the right to be unhappy after the big-money transfer arrival from Newcastle United.

Ekitike, 23, has hit the ground running, netting six goals in 12 matches across all competitions, including a strike against his old team Eintracht Frankfurt during Wednesday’s 5-1 victory. Isak was chosen over his strike partner for their battles against Chelsea and Manchester United as Arne Slot experienced his toughest spell in management, with the Reds suffering four consecutive defeats for the first time since 2014.

Ekitike did get game time in both matches and seemed to make a difference, demonstrating moments of brilliance and posing a threat against the Red Devils. The chatter this season has been dominated by how the French international and Liverpool’s £125million recruit can coexist in the same team.

Isak’s participation has been hindered by a disrupted pre-season after he pushed for a move away from Newcastle United.

However, former Arsenal Premier League title winner Aliadiere is confident that Isak and the 23-year-old will play together but voiced concerns about Ekitike.

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“Top player, absolutely a top player,” he said, speaking to the ECHO via WhichBookie. “My question will be, will the arrival of Isak change something?

“That’s my question to Liverpool. You could buy Isak, a top player, but if I’m Ekitike, ‘I’m on the bench, I’m not going to be very happy. I want to play games. I was playing every game before he arrived and now I’m in competition with him’.

“I think they will play together at some point, but I’d be disappointed being on the bench, I’d want to play every single game. I proved last year that I was a goalscorer and I could score goals, so it’s how he will manage.”

Slot should have an easier decision picking his forward options for at least Saturday’s showdown after Isak picked up a groin issue during the win over Eintracht Frankfurt.

The Swede was forced off at half-time and is a doubt for the trip to Brentford.

Aliadiere added: “It all depends, having competition is always good. You need competition and as long as it’s fair and not related to the price tag or how much you’ve paid for Ekitike or Isak, because if you start playing Isak over him because he’s worth more money, then I’d be a bit disappointed.

“Against Manchester United, he came on and the first two or three balls, he’s not looking to pass the ball or play for anyone apart from himself, is that something he would have done if he started every game?

“I’m not sure, I saw him shooting from 30 yards and I’m thinking, ‘you might have made a better pass there’, but because he’s come on, he’s trying to impress and have an impact, it’s a little bit selfish in some ways.

“I think is Liverpool going to create that selfishness between both to prove who is better and who is starting, that’s competition for the manager to deal with.”

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