Liverpool signed Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak in the summer and the Reds have been sent a message about the duo and Mohamed Salah
Arne Slot
Arne Slot has been sent a message about Liverpool's forward line(Image: Michael Regan, Getty Images)
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Liverpool have been told how they could play Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak in the same starting line-up - with concerns emerging about Mohamed Salah's form. The Reds are still reeling from a defeat to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League at the weekend, a result which leaves them in 12th place in the table.
Ekitike and Isak were signed by Liverpool during the summer transfer window, but both players have found it challenging to settle in at Anfield. Liverpool started the season with Ekitike as their starting centre forward, with the striker scoring six goals so far this season.
The Reds then went on to sign Isak from Newcastle United on deadline day for £125million, which has led to a debate about whether or not the duo can both start in the same team.
Former Rangers striker Ally McCoist has explained how he would try to include Ekitike and Isak in the same team.
“One dilemma that Arne Slot has got, is if they [Isak and Ekitike] could play together? Of course they could play together," McCoist told talkSPORT Bet.
"Could they play together in a 4-4-2? I don't think they will because I don't think that's the favoured formation. Could they do it? Of course they could do it because they're good players.
“A 4-3-3? I don't have any doubt Hugo Ekitike would be the one coming off one of the sides."
Former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf also gave his verdict on the possibility of Liverpool succeeding if they decided to start Ekitike and Isak in the same line-up.
“It’s going to be tricky because right now the only one who should play is Hugo Ekitike," Leboeuf told OLBG. "Hugo should play every game because Alexander Isak didn't train for a while, was fighting against Newcastle in order to come to Liverpool, but right now Isak is not the Isak we have known from years playing for Newcastle.
“But he put a lot of pressure on Hugo. Hugo started very well, scoring every game in the team which is a shadow of itself.
“But right now, Hugo is doing great and Arne Slot should only play him. And it doesn't matter if the other guy costs 130 or 150 million. If he's not ready enough, you should play Hugo.
“There is a possibility for Hugo also to play on the left side. It's also possible for Isak to do so. He has the choice of a king as we say in France, Arne Slot."
Both McCoist and Leboeuf also expressed concerns about Salah's form at Liverpool this season.
The Egyptian has scored just five goals so far for Liverpool this season across 17 appearances, with McCoist and Leboeuf explaining why he thinks Salah's form has decreased this term.
"Another big problem I've got is that Mohamed Salah is still not firing," McCoist said.
“I don't care what anybody says, he's not firing. If there's anybody that we should give a bit of slack to, it is without doubt Mo Salah because he's been absolutely unbelievable. But you cannot deny that there has been a little bit of a loss in form.
“So the whole forward line is, I think, struggling a little bit as well." Meanwhile, Leboeuf said: “We have to talk about Mohamed Salah as well, he is not the Salah we have seen. So you have Salah, Cody Gakpo, Ekitike and Isak."