Alan Shearer shows his true colors by ignoring Alexander Isak in Liverpool claim

Alan Shearer

Former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer reckons Hugo Ekitike has already demonstrated sufficient quality to establish himself as Liverpool's primary striker, despite Alexander Isak's summer arrival at the club.

Shearer's comments could be seen as a dig toward Isak; the Swedish striker turned his back on Shearer's beloved Newcastle to join the Reds.

Liverpoolsplashed out £79 million ($105.2 million) to secure the French forward from Eintracht Frankfurt, and he's made an impressive start, netting six goals across 12 appearances in all competitions.

With Newcastle's determined stance against selling Isak, Ekitike appeared destined to spearhead Liverpool's attack.

But when the two sides finally reached an agreement, Arne Slot's team seized the chance to acquire one of the Premier League's most formidable strikers.

However, Isak hasn't made the anticipated impact with the Reds following his Anfield switch, managing just a solitary strike in the Carabao Cup against Championship outfit Southampton

Isak missed preseason preparation with the Magpies, leaving Slot to carefully manage his return to peak condition while maintaining the pressure to secure vital points.

Speaking to Betfair, Shearer commented: "I think that Hugo Ekitike has already done enough to become Liverpool's number one striker for me, forget the price tags and everything else.

"He came in before anyone and obviously had scored the goals and looked really good in that position.

“Then he was sort of shifted out last night to a wider position, he wasn't really involved in the game up until the goal.

"Even the commentators said at the time that he hadn't really had many touches.

“But then, the way he took his goal and the way he finished it to get himself into that position - he's got every right to think he should be starting on a regular basis.

"I know footballs changed and I know it's very difficult to start every game in Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup. But he's got every chance to think that he's done enough to stay in the team."

Shearer has also backed Mohamed Salah to start scoring again in the near future.

The Reds forward has just three goals to his name this season.

Shearer added: "I think it's too early to say if Salah will continue to be Liverpool's main man.

"I understand that when you leave a big player out and then you get the result like Liverpool did and dominate, scoring five like they did - it should have been more as well.

"The clamour will be to leave him out again, but it's still too early to say. I still think that Mo Salah, give him time and a bit of confidence will still score a shedload of goals."

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