(Credit: Imago)

Jack Heath

Wed 13 August 2025 20:25, UK

Jamie Carragher is uneasy about Hugo Ekitike’s position at Liverpool despite only arriving a matter of weeks ago.

I am concerned about Liverpool - they are not ready for Premier League season	Jamie Carragher piles pressure on Mikel Arteta amid Liverpool title worry - 'Don't quite see that'	Jamie Carragher reveals Arsenal’s biggest ‘problem’ and his ‘worry’ for Liverpool

So far, the signing of Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt has been a success after the Frenchman scored his first goal for Liverpool in the Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace on 10 August.

However, despite the striker’s superb start to life at Anfield, the 23-year-old’s starting spot could be at risk with Reds continuing their transfer pursuits.

Alexander Isak has his heart set on joining Liverpool from Newcastle and Arne Slot is rolling in the money after sales of Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich and Darwin Nunez to Al-Hilal.

Former Red Carragher has weighed in on how the hunt for Scandinavian’s signature could spell bad news for Ekitike.

There is still a chance of the number 14 heading to Anfield (Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media)

In an interview with The i (12 August), the former centre-back discussed the club’s transfer plans in the striker department, admitting to being “confused” by signing Ekitike and “unsettling” Isak.

The ex-England international said: “I’m a bit uneasy because Liverpool have already bought a striker for a hefty sum of money.

MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES

“They [Liverpool] do need two more attacking players, they need another striker and they need another wide player to replace what’s gone.

But when you sign a striker for £80m – and I think this kid [Ekitike] looks a really good player – Liverpool have signed him to be the next Isak.

“I just scratch my head to think where he gets his minutes if Isak signs because you wouldn’t be able to leave him out, he’s that good a player and you’d have spent that much money on him.

“So I do worry a little bit for Ekitike.”

View this post on Instagram

The Frenchman may be looking over his shoulder at the potential arrival of the Swede disrupting his high expected minutes

View Instagram Post

Football Insider verdict

After presuming he would’ve been Slot’s go-to choice up top, if I was the the 23-year-old I would be very disappointed in the Reds drive to bring the Sweden international to Anfield.

Indeed, losing both Nunez and Diogo Jota up front has left the striker spot looking very light and it does make sense the club searches for an alternative option in case of injuries.

Yet, it would make more sense to find a back-up, work-in-progress kind of forward to support the Frenchman if he were to struggle with fixture congestion or injuries.

Minutes played71Goals1Shots (on target)3 (1)Big chances missed2Touches25Ekitike v Crystal Palace (Source: Sofascore)

As Carragher eluded to, the number 22 was signed as the next Isak, therefore it does seem puzzling that the red half of Merseyside are so hell-bent on landing the Scandinavian.

Of course, competition is a good thing to motivate players to increase their performance levels, knowing there is always a rival that can take your spot at any moment.

Still, the Dutch manager has to be careful not to threaten the ex-Frankfurt forward if they do succeed in landing the former Borussia Dortmund poacher as it could lead to Ekitike feeling let down by the club’s hierarchy.

Related Posts


For more news relating to Newcastle United, visit our sister site NUFC Latest Live.