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Arne Slot consoles Hugo Ekitike after Liverpool's defeat in the Community Shield to Crystal Palace(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Arne Slot has hinted Liverpool need to sign a new striker after explaining his decision to take off Hugo Ekitike in the Community Shield loss to Crystal Palace.

Ekitike impressed on his competitive debut for the club, scoring inside four minutes with a well-taken goal from the edge of the box.

The 23-year-old linked up well with fellow new signing, Florian Wirtz, throughout, before being withdrawn in the 71st minute with Alexis Mac Allister brought on in his place as Liverpool finished the match without a recognised centre-forward.

Ekitike's departure coincided with Palace fighting their way back into the game to earn a 2-2 draw thanks to Ismaila Sarr’s late equaliser, before emerging victorious on penalties.

READ MORE:What Arne Slot did in 70th minute highlighted Liverpool transfer need as minor issues clearREAD MORE:Liverpool player ratings as Hugo Ekitike excellent but one man gets 5/10 in Crystal Palace loss

Federico Chiesa was left unused on the bench, while the Reds have sold both Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, their interest in wantaway Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak is well-documented after seeing an initial £110m bid rejected last month.

Speaking after the Community Shield loss, Slot praised Ekitike and fellow goalscoring debutant Jeremie Frimpong.

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But he admitted his side were currently short in attack as he explained his usage of both Ekitike and Chiesa.

“I think it’s always nice to score a goal - not only for him, also for Jeremie Frimpong - if you start your career at a new club,” the Liverpool head coach said at his post-match press conference.

“But it would have been even nicer to win a game of football because I think that’s more important than scoring a goal.

“He (Ekitike) had a good impact but he is also an example of a player who came, I think, one-and-a-half to two weeks ago, at the end of our Asian tour.

“So for me, with only three or four days before the Friday game, it wouldn’t be smart to play him for 90 minutes because… of course we have Federico [Chiesa] but he has not been on the Asian tour as well, so there’s not a lot to replace him with.

“So, if he gets an injury at this moment of time, that would be a big risk for the Bournemouth, Newcastle and Arsenal games.

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“That’s why I took him off but he had a good game today, that’s for sure.”


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