Didier Deschamps has shown Arne Slot how best to use Hugo Ekitike for Liverpool

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Didier Deschamps may have just handed Arne Slot the solution to all his problems regarding Hugo Ekitike.

Outside of the Frenchman’s “disrespectful” red card against Southampton, he has been the sole summer arrival to demonstrate worthwhile form at Anfield.

Ekitike has hit the ground running in English football since his £69 million arrival from Eintracht Frankfurt this summer – he has scored five goals with one assist in his opening 10 outings.

The deadline day acquisition of Alexander Isak has certainly complicated matters on Merseyside, as the British record signing is slowly returning to fitness.

Isak has started the last two Premier League matches and now appears set to be the main man to lead the line moving forward.

However, Deschamps has utilised his new star forward in a role that could see the Reds’ new striker pairing start alongside each other should they follow suit.

Hugo Ekitike stars in two striker formation for France

France recorded a 3-0 win over Azerbaijan in World Cup qualifying on Friday evening, with Ekitike lining up alongside Kylian Mbappe in a 4-4-2.

The 22-year-old assisted his strike partner to open the scoring on the brink of half-time and flourished in his new-look role.

There have been suggestions that Ekitike now regrets signing for Liverpool, with his place under threat from Isak, but there is no reason that the pair cannot play together.

Arne Slot has huge problems at Anfield. While they are largely due to most of his £450m signings underperforming thus far, his altered system has unbalanced the title-winning side.

With Ryan Gravenberch’s more advanced role leaving the Reds far too exposed defensively, a traditional 4-4-2 formation, or a modern variation, could see Liverpool reclaim their defensive stability without sacrificing their potent attack.

Ekitike has drawn comparisons to Roberto Firmino for his intricate play, and his style appears perfectly suited alongside a striker partner, which could unlock the best in Isak as well.

However, Slot is unlikely to differ from his system as he looks to rectify Liverpool’s problems during the international break, but he has switched to multiple attackers when chasing a result, and it certainly could be worth a try.

Florian Wirtz could thrive in a new system at Liverpool

Florian Wirtz has been deployed on the flanks more often recently, with the midfielder starting on the left during Germany’s 4-0 win against Luxembourg on Friday.

Slot has also opted to move the 22-year-old out wide to help the player rediscover his best form at Anfield after a massively underwhelming start to life in English football.

Cody Gakpo has struggled to take the next step despite being the undisputed option on the left flank, and perhaps Wirtz could take over duties with Ekitike and Isak up top.

The German has created 17 chances for the Reds but has yet to record a single goal contribution since the Community Shield. If he has £194m worth of talent to supply, he could unleash the floodgates in the Premier League.