'He can be on the bench' – Hugo Ekitike decision made after Alexander Isak's Liverpool arrival

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Joleon Lescott thinks Hugo Ekitike will be left out of Liverpool's starting XI with Alexander Isak signed(Image: YouTube/All Out Football)

Ex-Manchester City and England defender Joleon Lescott thinks Arne Slot should bench striker Hugo Ekitike for Alexander Isak.

Having become embroiled in a bitter transfer saga, his arrival brought the Reds' spending over the £400m mark, while Frenchman Ekitike is responsible for £79m of this total after signing from German side Frankfurt.

Ekitike has started life on Merseyside in fine fettle, scoring in Liverpool's Community Shield loss and first two Premier League matches.



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But Lescott is convinced he will warm the bench and give way to Isak up top, instead of being part of Slot's starting XI in place of Cody Gakpo on the left.

"You [Ekitike] can be on the Liverpool bench.

If you're playing in Champions League games, it's not like, 'Oh, I'm seen in the second team.'

"If you're missing league games to play in the League Cup, then I understand you may feel like that.

But if you're playing in the Champions League and it's a massive game…

"They've got some tough games this season, Liverpool.

If you're playing Real Madrid and then on the weekend it's Man City, there is no lesser game."

Asked if Isak would start both fixtures, ex-City and Aston Villa man Lescott was convinced Slot would rotate his side and retorted: "No chance."

Lescott discussed Liverpool's situation alongside host Olivia Buzaglo on In The Mixer(Image: All Out Football)

With a host of top recruits brought in this summer, Lescott is also sure the Reds must challenge for multiple pieces of silverware this season, adding: "They have to win something.

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