Former Chelsea defender Frank Lebouf has claimed Hugo Ekitike should be “very upset” following Arne Slot’s decision to start Alexander Isak up front against West Ham United.
The Swede netted his first Liverpool goal in the Premier League when he coolly finished just before the hour mark at the London Stadium. It was a goal that handed Liverpool the lead and calmed the nerves in the away corner.
It also provided Isak with a sense of relief, too, following his barren run in front of goal, even if he had been poor up until that excellent strike and had offered little to Liverpool’s attack.
With Hugo Ekitike replaced due to a knock in the midweek loss to PSV Eindhoven, it was no surprise to see Isak handed a starting berth in East London, even if the Frenchman has provided a more reliable source of goals this season.
Ekitike has netted six in all competitions in comparison to Isak’s two, and Liverpool has looked like a more cohesive unit with the former Eintracht Frankfurt man in the line-up.
Therefore, Lebouf, a member of France’s 1998 World Cup-winning side, admitted he was disappointed to see Ekitike named on the bench at West Ham.
Alexander Isak celebrates scoring his first Premier League goal for Liverpool.
Isak scored his first Premier League for Liverpool in the win over Liverpool (Image: Getty Images)
“Even if Isak scored a goal, for one hour he was appalling for me,” the 57-year-old told EPSN.
“If I am Ekitike, my fellow [French] compatriot, I would be very upset because, when he came on, we saw the difference with his involvement, his technique, what he does for the team and the chances he can create.
“I would be very upset because, ‘OK, my price tag is less than Isak but my performances are better’. Isak scored – good, that saves his performance – but that wasn’t enough.
“It was funny to see him being very surprised to be substituted. It was only fair to Ekitike.”
Hugo Ekitike.
Ekitike was dropped to the bench for the win over West Ham (Image: Getty Images)
Isak managed 67 minutes before being withdrawn, and is yet to play a full game for the Reds since his record-breaking arrival.
But on the back of his first Premier League goal for Liverpool, Isak may be in line to face Sunderland on Wednesday.
“I've been waiting for it and chasing it [his first Premier League goal for Liverpool] and, sometimes, it takes longer than you expect, but happy to score a goal and help towards the win today,” the 26-year-old revealed after Sunday’s victory.
“It's never easy, as a striker, you need momentum. Sometimes you go through these patches, but, hopefully, this will be helpful towards building good form. We defended really well and scored twice, so happy days.”