'Is wrong’: Nicol believes 'incredible’ Liverpool star will be benched for Man United clash despite excellent form

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Liverpool need to bounce back with a big reaction when taking on rivals Manchester United.The international break is almost over and for the Reds, they have a lot of work to do to prove that they are still capable of challenging for the league title.Although they have only lost two league games, three defeats on the bounce in all competitions has left fans a little worried, with Arne Slot having some big problems to sort out.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. One of these issues boils down to a selection dilemma, with the Dutchman still unsure about what his best XI is.The top of the pitch is where things get tricky due to a raft of options, with whatever he decides to do being bound to upset someone.However, ex-Red Steve Nicol believes it is obvious who he should pick to start up top against Man United, although he does not think that Slot will opt for him despite his excellent form.Photo by Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar Via Getty ImagesSteve Nicol believes Hugo Ekitike should start against Man UnitedHugo Ekitike or Alexander Isak?

That is the debate Slot is having with himself every time a Liverpool game rolls around.Ekitike has been ‘incredible’ at the start of the season and has definitely been one of the Reds’ best players, but Isak is the £125m man who is regarded as one of the best in the world.It is certainly a good headache to have but it will leave one of them unhappy, although Nicol believes Ekitike has earned the right to lead the line at the weekend, even though he thinks Slot will go for Isak.“It’s not always straightforward and it doesn’t always come down to form,” he told ESPN.“Because if it’s on form, it’s a no-brainer and Ekitike has to start. I don’t think he’ll start, though.“The barrier is it’s your big signing, you’re trying to get him up to speed, there’s always a pecking order, and I think that will override what Ekitike has on the field, which is wrong.

On form, Ekitike deserves to start.”READ MORE: After Rio Ngumoha, Liverpool have another star coming through who’s even youngerThe good thing for Liverpool is that both players have stayed injury-free across the international break, and with fixtures coming thick and fast, they are going to need both of them to be on their best form.Alexander Isak might need a rest after his week with SwedenOne concern since Isak arrived was his fitness, with his disrupted pre-season meaning that he was far below the fitness levels needed to play regularly.Slot, therefore, managed his minutes carefully and gradually increased them as time went on, with the Swede now almost 100%.However, he played a full 90 minutes in both the games for his country this week, suggesting that he may need a slight rest as starting three in a row is a big ask.As well as this, he failed to make an impact in any of them, while Ekitike grabbed an assist on his debut for France and got almost a full rest in their second game after coming on at the death.So, in terms of form and freshness, it appears obvious that Ekitike should get the nod for this one, although as Slot is the manager, we will leave this very tricky decision up to him.