Some will say that it is a rich problem, but Arne Slot will still soon be confronted with a puzzle. This summer, Liverpool produced one of the most impressive Mercatos in history by spending almost € 500 million. Above all, the Reds have perfectly strengthened their offensive sector by recruiting Florian Wirtz (€ 125 million), Hugo Ekitike (€ 95 million) and Alexander Isak (€ 150 million). Three reinforcements committed in exchange for € 370 million to compensate for the departures of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nuñez and the tragic death of Diogo Jota.
Competition at € 245 million
Since the start of the season, Slot has chosen to start his matches by entrusting the wings to Wirtz and the unbeatable Mohamed Salah. Freshly arrived, Ekitike took the axis. And the French is doing very well since he scored 3 goals and delivered 1 assist in 4 appearances. After concluding his journey at Eintracht Frankfurt with a 2024/2025 season punctuated by 22 goals and 13 assists in 48 games, the new tricolor international launched his adventure on the banks of the Mersey. But today, now that Isak has joined the Reds, who will have slot favors?
Asked about competition with the Swedish, Ekitike said he was ready to face this challenge. “It's pleasant, when you play in the best teams, you expect to compete with the best players. Isak is a player I watched personally. It's a pleasure, it will offer rough competition and I will try to be good and efficient to make it just the problem of the coach. ” And for the moment, at a time when Liverpool is about to face Burnley this weekend, the English see the Frenchie pass in front of the former Newcastle striker. First of all, for a fairly simple and logical reason.
For the moment, advantage (logic) for Ekitike
On September 8, Isak played the last nine minutes of the Kosovo-Sude match (0-2) counting for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. It was the first time since May 25 that Scandinavian has been playing an official match. Suffice to say that Isak is lacking in rhythm, unlike Ekitike. Isak shunned to force his transfer to the Reds and therefore did not play the slightest match with Newcastle. “We will not do anything silly with him. He did not have a pre-season with a lot of training and matches. He can't play 90 minutes “said Swedish coach Jon Dahl Tomasson before the match against Kosovo. For the Liverpool Echoit is therefore advisable to expect Ekitike to start on the lawn of Burnley and that Isak has 20 to 30 minutes to put under the tooth.
However, it is not completely excluded to see Isak start next Sunday. The reason? Liverpool is preparing to face an obvious calendar after his Sunday match (Atlético de Madrid, Everton, Southampton, Crystal Palace, Galatasaray, Chelsea, Manchester United, Eintracht Frankfurt). For some, the match in Burnley (14th in the Premier League ranking with two defeats) would be the simplest in the coming series and therefore a better opportunity to launch Isak. However, such a scenario seems unlikely, but the long -awaited debate is finally launched. And when Alexander Isak is finally 100%, the time will come to know if Arne Slot will choose the job competition option for position or if he will tactically evolve his team, his two attackers who can evolve on the sides.
