Arne Slot admits he quickly changed plans for Liverpool star once Everton scored
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Arne Slot has admitted that he quickly changed his tactical plans for Liverpool star Hugo Ekitike after Everton scored during their derby clash. Slot praised Ekitike's impact as the France international netted the crucial goal in Liverpool's 2-1 comeback win against Everton. However, Slot recognized the need for caution, noting that Ekitike, who recently transferred from Eintracht Frankfurt, is adapting to the faster pace and intense physicality of the Premier League.
Given Ekitike’s lack of readiness to sustain three full 90-minute matches at Liverpool’s high tempo, Slot strategically decided to substitute him midway through the second half for Alexander Isak, who was making his Premier League debut after a high-profile move from Newcastle. Slot emphasized Liverpool's need to rely on two top-quality strikers to compete at this level, mirroring other teams in the league.
Slot reflected on the first half of the game, highlighting Liverpool’s "unbelievable" performance when fresh, contrasting with a more challenging second half due to Everton’s resilience and the Reds running low on energy. Despite this, Slot praised the team’s mentality for holding on to the win.
The victory and Ekitike's performance have vindicated Liverpool’s significant summer investments, with Slot confident that integrating two prominent number nines will strengthen the squad going forward. Liverpool is now preparing for their next fixture against Championship side Southampton in the Carabao Cup third round.
PP