‘That would mostly be the coach’s issue’ – Hugo Ekitike on competition with Alexander Isak at Liverpool | OneFootball

Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike (23) has hit the ground running with Arne Slot’s Premier League champions on the back of his €80m transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt. The former PSG striker has started all five Premier League games for the Reds, and he has netted in three of them, including last Saturday’s Merseyside Derby against Everton.

Ekitike also opened the scoring in the Community Shield against Crystal Palace, Liverpool’s next opponents in the Premier League next Saturday. However, the France international was benched for the Reds’ Champions League opener against Atlético de Madrid as Arne Slot gave the nod to €143m club-record transfer Alexander Isak.

Speaking to Canal+, Ekitike says he welcomes competition from within the Liverpool squad. “When I look at my history, I’ve never been in easy contexts. I’ve always been competing. Competition doesn’t scare me.” The Frenchman describes his Swedish teammate as a superb player and one he used to watch during his 18-month spell with Eintracht Frankfurt.

“He will help the team and help me reach new heights, but that would mostly be the coach’s issue“, Ekitike adds regarding Liverpool’s Arne Slot. “If I perform, I think he’d put me on the pitch. He can even try to put us both on the pitch. I think it’s just good.“

GFFN | Bastien Cheval