‘It is good’ – Hugo Ekitike gives honest verdict on Liverpool rivalry with Alexander Isak | OneFootball

Striker Hugo Ekitike has opened up about his rivalry with Alexander Isak at Liverpool.Ekitike joined Liverpool for £79 million earlier in the summer from Eintracht Frankfurt, while Isak sealed a £125 million move from Newcastle United on deadline day.Ekitike has had the better start to the season, registering five goals and one assist in eight games across all competitions, while Isak has found the back of the net just once.Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Turkish side Galatasaray, the Frenchman spoke about playing with Isak.He told liverpoolfc.com: “I think it’s good. We play at such a big club. I can’t see one big club playing with only one striker. I think it’s good that he’s here. From my age, I think I still have a lot of things to improve and learn, so for me it’s good that he’s here. “That’s [for] the coach to decide how he wants to play, that’s not me. But obviously, you know it’s a great player. I’ve been playing in a two-striker composition, one striker, so I can do a lot of things. If we have to play together, I can do that.”

Ekitike must start ahead of Isak against Galatasaray

Isak made his first Premier League start for Liverpool in the 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace, as Ekitike was suspended for the clash.The French striker received a red card during the Reds’ Carabao Cup third-round win over Southampton, making him ineligible to play against Palace.Isak struggled in the game as he could not show the sharpness and decisiveness that Ekitike has provided the Merseyside outfit.The Swedish striker missed pre-season due to his transfer saga, and has yet to regain the sharpness that saw him score 23 goals in the league last term.By contrast, Ekitike was part of Liverpool’s pre-season, aiding his brilliant start to the season.With Isak yet to hit top form, Slot must keep Ekitike his first-choice striker, starting with Liverpool’s clash with Galatasaray.Galatasaray lost their first Champions League match and will be determined to get a result, making the game a potential banana peel for the Premier League holders.Slot must ensure to start with his best legs, and Ekitike is undoubtedly one of them at the moment.