Ekitike shines as Slot faces Liverpool striker dilemma

Ekitike shines again as Slot faces striker dilemma at Liverpool

Hugo Ekitike continued his dream start at Liverpool, scoring in the 2-1 Merseyside derby win over Everton, and further complicating Arne Slot’s forward selection with fellow big-money striker Alexander Isak also waiting in the wings.

The £70m signing from Eintracht Frankfurt received a raucous ovation from The Kop, sealing his growing cult hero status at Anfield. Ekitike left the pitch in the 67th minute to chants of his name after scoring Liverpool’s second and decisive goal, a well-taken finish under Jordan Pickford.

Ekitike’s Fast Impact

The 23-year-old French forward now has three goals and one assist in just 370 minutes of Premier League action. He’s boasting a 66.67% big chance conversion rate, per Opta stats, and showing no signs of being fazed by the record-breaking arrival of Alexander Isak.

Ekitike’s tireless pressing, smart movement, and clean finishing make him an ideal fit for Slot’s high-intensity style. More than just goals, Ekitike is proving to be a pressing machine who embodies the hard-running ethos that made previous Liverpool teams title contenders.

Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock praised Ekitike’s influence on BBC Radio 5 Live:

“He’s a danger every time he gets on the ball. He’s impressed me immensely.”

Tactical Puzzle for Arne Slot

Arne Slot now faces the “dream conundrum”: how to accommodate two elite centre-forwards in the same XI. Both Ekitike and Isak naturally operate as central strikers, but Ekitike has the flexibility to play off the left or as a number 10, a role usually filled by Cody Gakpo.

Speaking on the situation, former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy said:

“They’ll split games—one plays 60 minutes, the other 30. I don’t see both as wide players. They’re number nines.”

This headache, however, is the envy of many top clubs, especially considering £241m worth of signings—Isak and Florian Wirtz—started on the bench in the derby.

Match Recap: Merseyside Derby

Liverpool were made to work hard for their fifth straight Premier League win. Ekitike’s goal provided breathing space after a tense first half, and even when Everton pulled one back late, Slot’s men held firm.

While Alexander Isak looked understandably rusty in his substitute appearance, Ekitike’s early spark and work rate set the tone. Wirtz, another marquee signing, remains a work in progress but continues to show flashes of his Bundesliga brilliance.

Slot on the Victory & Squad Rotation

After a midweek Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid, Slot praised his players’ mentality:

“I’m very satisfied… winning the derby with a great first-half performance, it is good,” he said.

“We showed great mentality and great quality when we were fresh.”

Slot added that fatigue played a role in his rotation decisions, especially with three games in seven days. But despite not yet clicking fully, Liverpool are grinding out results, which could spell trouble for their rivals once the squad gels.

What Comes Next?

With Isak, Ekitike, Gakpo, and Wirtz all competing for places, Liverpool’s attacking arsenal looks more dangerous than ever. The Reds are winning games without being at their best—a hallmark of potential champions.

As Slot fine-tunes his squad, the Premier League may soon witness a Liverpool firing on all cylinders. And if Ekitike continues this form, it will be hard to keep him out of the lineup—regardless of who else is waiting on the bench.