Hugo Ekitike sent new Alexander Isak warning over Liverpool role: ‘You have to develop’

Big things are expected of Alexander Isak after his record-breaking £125m move to Liverpool on deadline day, but his arrival could cause difficulties for fellow new forward Hugo Ekitike

Liverpool star Hugo Ekitike has been warned by Florent Malouda that he must “adapt” after the arrival of Alexander Isak at Anfield.

The Frenchman was signed from Eintracht Frankfurt for around £79million this summer and was expected to be Liverpool’s first choice striker this season.

But Liverpool then splashed out a British transfer record of £125m on Isak during a frantic deadline day, with the ex-Newcastle star now expected to move ahead of Ekitike in the pecking order.

Ekitike has started all of Liverpool’s first three Premier League games this season and has been a hit so far, scoring two goals and assisting once.

But with Isak putting his position as a first choice forward under threat, Ekitike’s fellow Frenchman Malouda has given him some words of advice to help him stay in the team.

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Speaking to Boyle Sports, Malouda said: “Will Alexander Isak impact the development of Hugo Ekitike? Yes, but great players adapt all the time. You have to renew yourself. You have to almost develop a toolbox.

“There’s always your favourite position, but in modern football, you also have the defensive part of the game where you need to be involved.

“That doesn’t stop you from being at your best level. Especially with young players, that’s what’s difficult to get, you need to give to the team first.

“It doesn’t matter the position. Then, with the relationship you create with the players around you, you will get the chances to score back because he’s a natural goal scorer.

“He’s a real threat, and he has this experience at PSG with a lot of stars, so he knows how to navigate in a dressing room full of stars. But his main thing is he wants to be on the pitch, he wants to improve his stats, deliver, and answer to the expectations around him.”

There will be huge expectation on Isak to deliver the goals for Liverpool in their quest to retain the Premier League title after he netted 23 goals last season. Ekitike will still have chance to be selected in the event Isak is installed as the first choice striker, with the 23-year-old able to play on the wing.

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