Liverpool’s summer signing Hugo Ekitike continued his dream start to life at Anfield with another influential performance in the 2-1 Merseyside derby victory over Everton. His seamless transition from Eintracht Frankfurt to the Premier League has not only delivered goals but also created an unexpected tactical conundrum for new head coach Arne Slot.
Signed for £70m after a hot pursuit that saw Liverpool edge out Newcastle United, the 23-year-old Frenchman has already become a cult hero among the Kop. On Saturday, he delivered again, scoring Liverpool’s second goal with a composed finish under Jordan Pickford before leaving the pitch to a standing ovation after 67 minutes. His exit brought on British record signing Alexander Isak, setting the stage for what could become the club’s most fascinating selection dilemma.
Slot now finds himself blessed with options. Ekitike has three goals and one assist in just five league appearances, boasting an impressive 66.67% big chance conversion rate according to Opta. Isak, who cost £125m from Newcastle, remains Liverpool’s marquee signing but has so far played catch-up in terms of sharpness. The prospect of pairing the two together, or shifting Ekitike into a wide role at the expense of Cody Gakpo, is one that tantalises supporters but complicates Slot’s tactical planning.
Saturday’s victory underlined Ekitike’s all-round qualities. Beyond the goal, his tireless pressing, clever runs, and willingness to shoulder defensive duties made him a constant nuisance to Everton’s back line. Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock told BBC Radio 5 Live: “Hugo Ekitike is just getting better and better. When he gets on the ball, he is a danger and he has been so impressive in his short time at Liverpool.”
His contributions came in a match that was far from straightforward. Liverpool, fatigued from midweek Champions League exertions against Atletico Madrid, were not at their fluent best. David Moyes’ Everton mounted a spirited second-half challenge, cutting the deficit to 2-1 and forcing a nervy finale. Yet Liverpool held firm, extending their perfect league start to five wins from five.
Ekitike’s emergence as a reliable outlet has vindicated Slot’s decision to rotate his expensive recruits carefully. Both Isak and Florian Wirtz began on the bench, with the manager conscious of balancing freshness against fixture congestion. Slot later praised his team’s resilience: “Our mentality kept us in the game because they didn’t have another chance after their 2-1 goal. We showed great mentality and quality when we were fresh in the first half.”
For Liverpool’s rivals, Ekitike’s fast acclimatisation is ominous. A player capable of delivering goals while also embodying the pressing ethos central to Slot’s philosophy is a rare asset. That he has bonded so quickly with the Anfield faithful only adds to his aura. His post-match salute to the Kop, fist raised in acknowledgement of their chants, symbolised the connection already forming.
The dilemma for Slot now is how best to accommodate both Ekitike and Isak, without unbalancing a team that has started strongly. Former midfielder Danny Murphy believes the solution will lie in rotation: “They can play together, of course they can. But the manager sees them both as number nines. I think they’ll split games—one plays 60 minutes, the other 30.”
Such riches in attack present the kind of problem managers crave. While Gakpo, Diogo Jota, and Mohamed Salah all remain key figures, the rise of Ekitike gives Liverpool an unpredictability that could prove decisive in the title race. For now, Slot will relish the fact that his £70m recruit has settled instantly and is delivering in the biggest games.
As Anfield rocked with chants of his name, it was clear Liverpool have found a new favourite. Ekitike’s dream start is fast becoming Slot’s enviable dilemma—a problem no manager minds having.
