Liverpool’s big Hugo Ekitike vs Alexander Isak debate has clear winner, ‘that’s my position’

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Now the transfer deadline day dust has settled, Liverpool manager Arne Slot will spend his international break working out how to incorporate both Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak in the same team.

Isak scored 27 goals for Newcastle last season before his £125m move on Monday, while Ekitike already has three in Liverpool colours and netted 26 goals in 64 games for Eintracht Frankfurt.

As Isak went on strike at Newcastle to force his move, Ekitike has started well in attack for Arne Slot’s side, but the general consensus is that he will have to move to the left wing to accommodate the new British record signing.

And while he has only ever played as a number nine, Ekitike has made it clear to Arne Slot that he will play anywhere he is asked for his new club.

Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak’s answers speak volumes when it comes to their best positions

It is unlikely that Slot will dramatically alter his system and formation at Liverpool, especially with current Player of the Year Mo Salah and £116m signing Florian Wirtz also expecting to start.

When asked recently what his best position was, Ekitike expressed a preference to play centrally, but told Slot he would play wherever he was asked.

He said recently: “I mean, I do what the coach asks me to do, but I like to do everything. I can’t define myself only as a striker to finish: I like to play, I like to be in the game, in the collective part of play [and] create also.

Compare that selfless stance to Isak, who has become known as a ruthless striker who excels as the focal point of a team.

Alexander Isak told Alan Shearer that he wants to be a centre forward, ‘my ambition’

Speaking to Alan Shearer for BBC Sport in January, Isak made it clear he sees his position as a centre-forward, getting in the box to score goals while occasionally drifting onto the left.

In his first season at Liverpool, he played around a quarter of his minutes as a left-winger, but has been a number nine ever since – and said he did not enjoy his time on the wing.

“I would say centre-forward. And then I feel comfortable receiving the ball at the left side,” he said. I haven’t really been as good [in] the games I’ve started as a left-winger. It’s more like, within the game, when I drift out.

“My ambition has always been to be a little bit good at everything – and I’ve certainly developed the number nine type of player where I’m good in the box. I’ve scored a few headers this season as well. I want to be a threat in every way.”

So if Isak maintains that stance at Liverpool, it looks like it will be Ekitike who has to move out of position onto the left flank, not Isak.