Arne Slot gives honest reaction to Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak starting together for Liverpool
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Who was your Man of the Match during Liverpool’s brilliant 1-0 win over Inter Milan? Photo by Giuseppe Cottini/Getty Images 👇 Join the debate; share your insight.
Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say Meanwhile, Federico Chiesa was ill, and Cody Gakpo is now out for a few weeks, forcing Arne Slot to get creative with his team selection.Teenage star Rio Ngumoha could have been an option off the left, but the Dutchman instead opted to deploy Alexander Isak in a wider role, with Hugo Ekitike featuring as the primary number nine.Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak need time to find a connectionIt was a mixed night for Liverpool’s centre-forwards, and Slot has since given his reaction when speaking live on Amazon after the 1-0 win over Inter Milan.He said: “The thinking behind the lineup is that there are not so many available. They [Ekitike and Isak] are good players, but it is normal that they need to find a connection together.”Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty ImagesAs has so often been the case this season, Ekitike earned praise for his performance, with Alan Shearer labelling the Liverpool striker ‘clever’ during the clash.However, his teammate on the evening did not fare anywhere near as well.Liverpool fans were concerned about Isak’s display after the Swede was hooked in the 68th minute without having a shot on target.
How does Arne Slot get the best out of Alexander Isak going forward? 🤔 Credit: Robbie Jay Barratt/AMA/Getty Images 👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say Liverpool’s front three vs Brighton picks itselfUnlike the Real Madrid victory last month, Liverpool can’t afford to make this a flash in the pan.They must build on the performance and get a positive result out of the Brighton and Hove Albion game this weekend.Gakpo will miss the game, while Chiesa, even if he has recovered in time, never starts under Slot anymore.Ekitike should keep his place as the primary striker, while the ongoing Salah drama means we will almost certainly see Dominik Szoboszlai used off the right again.The only position really up for debate is left-wing, but given how important getting three points in Saturday’s match could be for Liverpool’s season, an in-form Wirtz needs to come back into the team ahead of Isak.