Hugo Ekitike has just given Arne Slot an even bigger headache after latest outing with France - opinion
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Hugo Ekitike started for France during their 3-1 win against Azerbaijan.The Reds have had a very poor start to the season, with the number of new players they have added perhaps doing more harm than good.Arne Slot has, subsequently, found it hard to fit them all in, with many being left on the bench in favour of the experienced players in the squad.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. One big dilemma when everyone is fit, though, is who to start up front, with Ekitike and Alexander Isak both top quality options.However, some think that there is a way to fit them both into the team, although Ekitike’s outing with France suggests this might not be a good idea.Photo by Aziz Karimov/Getty ImagesHugo Ekitike played poorly on the left wingLiverpool only operate in a system with one striker usually, meaning that if Slot is reluctant to change this, then one of Ekitike or Isak must miss out.With that said, there is still a way to keep the formation but play them together, with this seeing the Frenchman move out to the left.He has played there before for Eintracht Frankfurt and did the same for France against Azerbaijan, although his performance suggests that Liverpool should not try it.The French media were disappointed with Ekitike against Azerbaijan, saying that he ‘had a game to forget’ after struggling to make an impact.
One positive is that he worked really hard, as always, although due to not having too much space to run into, he was surplus to requirements.READ MORE: Dominik Szoboszlai shares what he actually thought of Milos Kerkez when he first met him Do you want Ibrahima Konate to sign a new contract and stay at Liverpool? Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images This comes off the back of an impressive performance as a substitute against Ukraine earlier in the week, suggesting that consistency in this position could be an issue.Liverpool need to play with two strikersIt is clear Liverpool need a change, or multiple at that, and this period of the season might be the best chance to try it.With Mohamed Salah going to AFCON, this gives them an excuse to play a formation with two strikers, with this meaning benching both wingers.This would allow Ekitike and Isak to play together and perhaps even form a formidable partnership, turning Liverpool’s fortunes around in the process.
It would also give the full-backs more incentive to go forwards and get crosses into the box, maximising the strengths of Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong.