'I can't' - Hugo Ekitike's feelings clear on Alexander Isak forcing Liverpool change

Ekitike

Hugo Ekitike has already revealed he's prepared to adapt his role to accommodate his Liverpool team-mates as they gear up to welcome Alexander Isak.

The Swede will almost certainly become the club's primary striker.

The French forward arrived at Anfield from Frankfurt for £79million this summer following his impressive displays in Germany.

He's made a brilliant start to his Merseyside career, finding the net in the Community Shield and Liverpool's opening two Premier Leaguefixtures this term.

Liverpool brought in Ekitike as they looked to add a focal point to their attacking play.

At the time of his signing, Isak wasn't anticipated to be available, but he subsequently became obtainable after making his desire to quit Newcastle clear.

However, Ekitike has admitted he's eager to offer multiple options and will shift positions if it benefits the squad, potentially relinquishing his status as the team's leading striker, reports the Mirror.

Ekitike commented recently: "I mean, I do what the coach asks me to do, but yeah, I like to do everything. I can't define myself only as a striker (who likes) to finish: I like to play,

“I like to be in the game, in the collective part of play (and) create also.”

"So, I can do both – I can play alone and I like to play also with another striker and I think that's what makes me versatile, but you know now in football you need to adapt."

It's yet to be seen how Arne Slot plans to utilise Isak and Ekitike in his attacking line-up, or if one of them will have to settle for less playing time.

Equally, Ekitike could be pushed out wide, having shown a tendency to move into the channels.

Mohamed Salah has a firm hold on his position on the right, while Florian Wirtz has been brought in to play as a 10, making the prospect of Liverpool fielding two strikers unlikely.

Regardless, Ekitike's admission that he will do whatever his coach asks of him highlights just how much of a team player he is, and how valuable he could be to manager Slot.

Speaking after Liverpool's 3-2 victory over Newcastle last week, Slot was asked about Ekitike, and stated: "I think he has already made a big impact in the attacking part of our game.

"Not only scoring goals but also being part of build-up situations where he was someone that started the attack or was part of us starting an attack.

“I'm talking about a difference a bit more than last season, although when Lucho [Luis Diaz] played there he was also a lot of times part of our build-up."

However, Isak's influence could aid in the one area Slot believes Ekitike can grow in, as the manager continued:

Slot continued "What he can improve is his match fitness. I expect him to do even a lot, a lot more without the ball than he already does, because he's already working hard.

“There he can improve, which is completely normal because he has to adjust from a different league, from a different playing style. Frankfurt pressed but not as much as we try to do."

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