Hugo Ekitike ‘problem’ raised after narrow Liverpool win vs Burnley
Hugo Ekitike may have a new issue at Liverpool after the 1-0 win against Burnley on Sunday.
Ekitike started his Liverpool career in fine form, netting in his first three competitive games for the Anfield club.
However, he has not hit the back of the net in two matches, and Alexander Isak has joined Liverpool as competition for the number nine spot.
The Frenchman struggled to have an impact on the victory at Turf Moor, which may leave Arne Slot with a problem.
New Hugo Ekitike problem becomes clear at Liverpool
Liverpool needed a Mohamed Salah penalty to beat the Clarets, as they left it until second-half stoppage time to take all three points.
Former Reds ace Danny Murphy believes that Ekitike was a part of the issue, claiming that the positions that he was taking up did not help break down Scott Parker’s side.
Speaking on 14 September’s edition of Match of the Day (23:10), he said: “Ekitike is coming to feet, he needs to be in there, waiting for the cross and keep his position.
“This was the problem and this was why Burnley in the first half, I thought, particularly stopped Liverpool from making lots of really good chances.”
Liverpool bought Alexander Isak for this exact reason
Ekitike is a brilliant prospect, and he started his career on Merseyside in great form, but he is not the full package just yet.
That is why the Reds bought Isak for a British record fee of £125million, because they needed a more well-rounded nine to complement the French star.
- Isak sat out of Newcastle’s opening three Premier League matches
- Did not play in Sweden’s first World Cup qualifier against Slovenia
- Featured for 20 minutes in the 2-0 loss to Kosovo on 8 September
Isak may well have started the clash if it was not for his fitness issues, as it is being managed carefully after his stance to not play to seal his transfer to the L4 outfit.
Once the former Newcastle man is up to speed, then he will likely lead the line for Slot’s side on most occasions, with Ekitike either settling for a backup role or starting from the left flank.
The Reds will not be concerned about the issue raised by Murphy; they won in the end, and they are top of the league, with a 100 per cent record.
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