'Clearly': Alan Shearer claims one Liverpool player would have been 'disappointed' with Isak's debut on Wednesday
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It was a surprise to see Alexander Isak start for Liverpool against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday after Hugo Ekitike’s performances.
Anfield was treated to a cracker of a game on Wednesday night for the first game in the Champions League, with a 3-2 victory sealed late on through a fantastic Virgil van Dijk header.
Arne Slot will have been happy with another Liverpool victory, but the Reds have won their first five games of this season in the final 10 minutes, which may be a slight cause of concern for the manager.
His usual calmness and consistency have been replaced by a more mentality-driven approach, but it is still working for Slot’s side at the moment.
What has also pleased the coach is the fact that he can use their new £125 million striker, who made his first start for the club in the game.
Photo by Michael Regan – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
The fact that the Swede was able to play 60 minutes after a tumultuous pre-season was something that really surprised Slot about Isak, but the Dutch coach has insisted that he will not be playing a full match just yet.
Although the Swedish player’s introduction into the squad could spell a bit of bad news for Ekitike, who also joined the club this summer and has had a great start to life in red, scoring two goals in the Premier League.
The 22-year-old French forward’s more favoured position is in that central area where the 25-year-old striker will most likely be playing, meaning he would have to be pushed out wide.
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Alan Shearer feels that this is unfortunate for the Frenchman, who joined before the deal for the former Newcastle United striker was signed.
READ MORE: Alexander Isak’s Liverpool debut made one thing absolutely clear about Hugo Ekitike
Speaking on The Rest is Football, the all-time leading goalscorer in the league explained why he would have been disappointed not to start and questioned the situation he has been brought into.
Shearer said: “Even Ekitike, who’s had a great start to the season, was left on the bench for Isak last night.
So you’d have to feel a bit of sympathy for him.
“I just wonder whether if he knew the situation and then knew the scenario with Isak coming in, then whether he would have made the same decision or not.
But he’s had a great start.
So clearly, he would have been disappointed not to start again.
“Particularly with the start he’s made and how impressive he’s been in the goals, because I guess in a lot of the games that if Isak is fit then he will start.
Whether Ekitike goes to the left, which obviously isn’t his favourite position, we’ll have to wait and see.”
The pair can play together in the same team because of how Isak drifts to the wide positions naturally, to allow space for his teammates, but Ekitike would likely want to start centrally more often.
But for the derby, the 22-year-old should get his start after being benched in Europe, and in a game like the Merseyside Derby against Everton, it may not be worth starting your coveted striker who is only just finding his match fitness.
Ekitike, so far, has also proven that he can score goals and assist in his short time in the squad, but a game like this could allow him to show his best qualities.
There should not be an expectation of a win in a match like this, but it will be a closely fought contest, given the areas the Toffees have strengthened in.
Truthfully, it is hard to predict these games because form always goes out the window, and it comes down to who wants it more.
Liverpool may even need to find another late winner in a tight game like this.