Liverpool manager Arne Slot has outlined his vision for a new attacking setup that could see Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike feature side by side this season.
Isak arrived from Newcastle United on Deadline Day in a British record transfer, just weeks after Ekitike’s £79 million move from Eintracht Frankfurt. While some feared that the Swede’s arrival might block Ekitike’s development, Slot is determined to utilise both forwards.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s Merseyside derby, the Liverpool boss confirmed that Ekitike could be deployed on the flanks to make room for the pair in the same XI.
“I consider [playing both together] because you consider many things,” Slot said. “If both are in the best form of their life you consider it, but it is also clear we have a 4-3-3 structure. Hugo can play off the left, which gives us multiple options. We can also use a 4-4-2, depending on form and fitness.”
Isak made his Liverpool debut in Tuesday’s dramatic 3-2 Champions League win over Atletico Madrid, coming off before Ekitike replaced him. The Reds stormed into a two-goal lead within six minutes but were pegged back by a Marcos Llorente brace, before Virgil van Dijk’s injury-time header sealed the victory.
Despite this being the third time Liverpool have squandered a two-goal cushion this season, Slot remains calm about the trend.
“It is not ideal if we have two-goal leads and we lose them, so we need to improve,” he admitted. “But the good thing is, if we have the urgency again, we can score. Maybe we should be more composed, but I like the mentality we have.”
With both Isak and Ekitike vying for key roles in attack, Liverpool fans could be set for a thrilling season under Slot’s flexible system.
