Arne Slot reiterated in the build-up to Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Atlético Madrid that there’s a world where Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitiké can co-exist—but it was one replacing the other on Wednesday night as the Dutchman took a first look at his new £125 million signing.
Liverpool spent a monumental amount of money this summer, acquiring both Isak and Ekitiké to revamp their strike force in addition to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal that could eventually be worth £116 million to the former Bundesliga winners.
All three were in action at some point at Anfield, with Liverpool emerging victorious 3–2 in a rollercoaster game that saw Virgil van Dijk net a dramatic last-gasp winner—not the first time this season that the Reds have struck late to win.
Isak was named in the starting lineup and played 58 minutes before he was replaced Ekitiké. It was a hugely positive step for the Swede, who barely had a preseason at Newcastle, and allowed him to get valuable minutes under his belt in order to build up his fitness.
Ekitiké also benefitted from a break, having impressed hugely in the opening few weeks of the 2025–26 season. But judging by comments from Slot made before the game, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see both named in Liverpool’s starting XI at some point in the future.
“Hugo could be a player that plays off the left side, not like the way Cody [Gakpo] or Mo [Salah] is playing with holding the width and taking on the 1-v-1s, but he could become a second striker,” Slot said to TNT Sports before the game.
“But in general, I think both of them [Isak and Ekitike] are more No. 9s than any other position.”
Slot: I’m Really Happy for Isak
After the match, Slot expressed how content he was with both players’ performances.
“I’m really happy [Isak] could start today. That’s why we didn’t play him against Burnley. He was good today and when Hugo came in, he was a big factor also. We have two great No. 9s and we’re going to use them, both of them, throughout the whole period they’re here.”
Ekitiké, in particular, has looked comfortable operating off the left with interchanging runs alongside Wirtz and Gakpo throughout preseason. Later in the season, it’s well within reason that both could be on the pitch at the start of the game or when Liverpool are chasing a goal late in what has now seemingly become ‘Slottage Time’. Getting the most out of his two top strikers could go a long way in not only defending their Premier League title, but picking up silverware elsewhere.
Given Slot’s intention and words to ease Isak into their plans, it seems unlikely both will start in the Merseyside derby this weekend against Everton—but the pair should have involvement against their rapidly improving rivals.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Arne Slot Explains Alternative Liverpool Vision for Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike.
