Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz urged to take a leaf out of Alexander Isak’s book

Liverpool summer signings Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz have been told they must follow the actions of Reds transfer target Alexander Isak to make sure they can handle life the Premier League

Liverpool new boys Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz have been urged to follow the lead of another potential Anfield recruit in Alexander Isak by improving their physique. The reigning Premier League champions splashed out the best part of £195million on the pair earlier this summer.

The Reds signed Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen in June for an initial £100m plus £16m in potential add-ons. That was followed by a £79m deal to sign Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt last month.

Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Giorgi Mamardashvili are among the other high profile signings to have arrived at Liverpool as Arne Slot looks to retain the title. Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak is also keen to join, despite the Magpies knocking back a £110m bid from their rivals. Isak has since reportedly told Newcastle he will never play for them again.

READ MORE: Liverpool ‘reach verbal agreement’ for Giovanni Leoni transfer with one obstacle remainingREAD MORE: ‘Alexander Isak’s disrespectful behaviour is a major red flag for Arne Slot and Liverpool’

Former Manchester United and Wrexham goalkeeper Ben Foster has now claimed that Ekitike and Wirtz need to follow Isak’s lead, but in terms of bulking up, rather than causing any sort of drama on Merseyside.

The ex-England international raised concerns about their slight build after watching the pair start in Liverpool’s defeat on penalties to Crystal Palace in the Community Shield on Sunday.

Wirtz set up Ekitike for Liverpool’s opening goal in the fourth minute, but Palace were unfazed and the game finished 2-2, before the Eagles went on to win 3-2 on penalties at Wembley. However, Foster believes their size could be a problem after comparing them to Isak, who he credited with working hard to boost his physical profile since arriving in the Premier League back in August 2022.

Speaking on the Fozcast podcast, Foster said: “Sometimes I look at the physical build of players and I think Ekitike and Wirtz both look a little bit lightweight at the minute. I used to think this about Isak as well.

“When he first signed for Newcastle, I used to look at him and think, ‘I don’t know if you’re going to be able to deal with the physicality of the Premier League.’ Over the last couple of years, he’s really worked hard on that side of it, and he seems to have put a bit more muscle on.

“He looks like he now knows how to use his body and keep players away. But just thinking about Wirtz and Ekitike, I need to see them put a little bit more muscle on before they can really hit the ground.”

According to Foster, Isak would therefore provide a good example for Ekitike and Wirtz to follow.

The Swedish striker’s potential switch to Liverpool has been one of the Premier League’s longest-running sagas this summer.

Despite his strong stature, Isak has been criticised for his mentality after appearing to burn his bridges on Tyneside to try and force a move.

Meanwhile, Wirtz and Ekitike were spotted quickly removing their runner-up medals after Sunday’s loss to Palace. The move was viewed as a clear sign of how Liverpool were deeply unhappy with losing and won’t accept second best this season.

Wirtz confessed upon signing for the club in June that he has only come to win the top prizes. “I would like to win everything every year,” the 22-year-old said. “First of all, we have to do our work,” said Wirtz, whose shirt number will be announced later in the summer.

“Last season they [Liverpool] won the Premier League so my goal is for sure to win it again and also to go further in the Champions League. I’m really ambitious.”

Making a similar declaration of his intentions following his own unveiling, Ekitike said: “Obviously Liverpool are already on the top, but we have still things to reach. That’s why we want to be the best and need to improve every season to go and reach the success.”

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