Despite a bright start to the season, Hugo Ekitike has seemingly lost his place in Arne Slot's Liverpool starting XI after the arrival of Alexander Isak - who has failed to justify his £125million price tag
Arne Slot speaks with Hugo Ekitike
Arne Slot has benched Hugo Ekitike for the last two Liverpool matches
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Glen Johnson has claimed that Hugo Ekitike isn't starting under Arne Slot as a result of 'politics' at Liverpool. The Frenchman arrived at Anfield in a £79million move from Eintracht Frankfurt earlier this summer.
It didn't take the 23-year-old long to hit the ground running with the Reds either. Ekitike opened the scoring in Liverpool's Community Shield clash with Crystal Palace, before netting against Bournemouth in the Premier League just five days later.
He then put one past Newcastle United in Liverpool's next league fixture to make it three goals from three appearances with the club. However, when Alexander Isak arrived from the Magpies in a £125m move on deadline day, Ekitike's place in the team was called into question - given he had primarily been fielded as a centre-forward.
While the youngster managed to hold his place in the starting XI throughout September, he has recently found himself demoted to the bench, with Isak leading the line instead. For context, Ekitike managed just 16 minutes in Liverpool's 2-1 defeat to Chelsea, and 28 minutes in the club's Northwest derby loss on Sunday.
And according to Johnson, it's the politics relating to Isak's big-money move which are hindering Ekitike's gametime at present. Speaking to Aceodds, the former Liverpool player said: "I think Isak and Ekitike can coexist in the same starting XI.
"I think they're totally different players. Of course Isak is going to come in with the business they put in behind that deal to happen. Isak comes in as the record signing and he's going to have to play.
"But at the same time he needs to live up to his reputation and the fee. Ekitike for me, he should be starting every game. Politically he can't right now because of the business they've done, Isak has to start.
"At the same time you have to be ruthless and win games. If that's the best player, regardless of the record signing, he needs to play. And if they can work round it and play them together, that's what you sign both for.
"I think they can It's still early days. Isak is a proper striker. He's not the best footballer, in terms of dropping back and all that. He's just a goal-scoring machine.
"Ekitike can drop back. So as long as they can work together, in time it can come good. But for me, if I was Ekitike right now, I'd be fuming."
While Ekitike is also able to operate on the wing, the problem is that Cody Gakpo has been unplayable at times for the Reds as of recent. And while Mohamed Salah hasn't been at his best this term, Slot may be hesitant to bench the Egyptian given the experience he brings and flashes of sheer brilliance.
It comes as fans eagerly anticipate Slot's squad selection for their upcoming match against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League come Wednesday evening. Ekitike will undoubtedly be eager to test himself against his former club given the chance, however, Isak will also hope to find consistency given his only goal since signing for Liverpool came during a Carabao Cup clash with Southampton.
Glen Johnson celebrates
Glen Johnson has spoken about Hugo Ekitike
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Slot will also hope to put to bed a horrific four-game skid when his side touches down at Deutsche Bank Park. Liverpool suffered a 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace, a 1-0 Champions League defeat to Galatasaray and a 2-1 reverse by Chelsea ahead of the October international break.
They then returned to Anfield rejuvenated and refreshed to be handed yet another 2-1 loss, this time at the hands of fierce rivals Manchester United, on Sunday.
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