‘Problem’ For Arne Slot: Hugo Ekitike Gives Honest Reaction to Liverpool Signing Isak

The addition of Alexander Isak concluded a brilliant summer transfer window for Arne Slot’s side as the Swedish sharpshooter joined the likes of Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike at Anfield – and the opinion of the Ekitike, who plays in a similar position to Isak, has revealed his feelings over the forward’s arrival.

Solna-born Isak, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers in world football, was always going to cost his would-be buyer an arm and leg once he left Newcastle United. Liverpool parted ways with £125 million win his signature this summer.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Since the Premier League’s inception in 1992, only Alan Shearer (148) has scored more than Alexander Isak’s 54 goals for Newcastle United.

Slot, who became the fifth manager to win the Premier League title in his maiden season last time out, pushed for the 25-year-old until his move was announced on Deadline Day and to cater for the loss of Luis Diaz, who moved to Bayern Munich, he also signed 23-year-old Ekitike over the summer.

How Ekitike Feels About Isak’s Liverpool Arrival Revealed

But how does he feel about Isak and the subsequent competition for minutes in England? One would automatically assume that Ekitike, who boasts far less experience compared to Isak, would be stressed about where his game time will come from.

That is, however, far from the case – with his answer potentially being music to the Anfield faithful’s ears. On Sunday afternoon, the ex-Eintracht Frankfurt striker spoke to French media – and he was asked about the friendly competition between himself and Liverpool’s marquee summer addition.

Instead of being worried about how he’d fit into Slot’s thinking, the once-capped France international has admitted to relishing the chance to go head-to-head with his new teammate. That’s, of course, if the Liverpool manager and his entourage do not opt for a two-man striker partnership. Per The Metro, he said:

“It’s fun. When you play for the best teams, you expect to be competing with the best players. [Alexander] Isak is a player I’ve watched too, so seeing him arrive is a pleasure. It’s going to be tough competition, but I’m going to focus on performing well so that it’s a problem for the manager.”

For Slot and Co, the ideal situation would be to include both players in their starting XI moving forward. Playing one through the middle and one off the left flank is, perhaps, the best course of action; though that would be at the expense of Cody Gakpo, who has enjoyed a tidy start to 2025/26.

As things stand, Ekitike has started in Slot’s solitary centre-forward berth in Liverpool’s three opening games of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign. In that time, the languid Frenchman has scored twice and notched the solitary assist – but does he get displaced by Isak straight away?

It'll be of paramount importance to the Reds, and their Premier League title defence, that both players fire on all cylinders. Getting the two bouncing off one another, alongside Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz, will be utterly joyous to watch for those of an Anfield persuasion.

When teams return from the international break, Slot’s title challengers – who are the only team plying their trade in England's top flight yet to drop points this season – travel to Turf Moor to face Burnley before welcoming Merseyside rivals Everton to Anfield on Saturday 20 September.

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