Hugo Ekitike has been in brilliant form since signing for Liverpool over the summer.
Wayne Rooney praised Ekitike amid an excellent start to life at Anfield earlier in the campaign.
More recently, the Frenchman scored a brace as Liverpool beat Brighton 2-0 this past Saturday.
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Ekitike now sits on seven Premier League goals and 10 across all competitions, the most of any player at Anfield.
While the former Eintracht Frankfurt man is thriving, however, his striker counterpart is struggling.
Gut feeling, has Mohamed Salah played his last game for Liverpool? If yes, how do you feel about it?
421 appearances
250 goals
114 assists
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New role for Hugo Ekitike mooted by Olivier Giroud
Liverpool fans are worried about Alexander Isak on the back of what has been a tricky start to his career on Merseyside.
The new British transfer record has been unable to hold down a regular starting place, in part due to injuries and also because Arne Slot is trying to fit both his number nines into the same team.
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The duo started together in the win over Inter Milan last week, but while Ekitike was praised, Isak did little of note before being taken off for Florian Wirtz, who improved Liverpool’s attack when he was introduced.
Now, speaking alongside Reds legend Jamie Carragher on Monday Night Football, Olivier Giroud has become the latest in a long list of names to praise Ekitike.
He said: “It was not easy for him when they signed Isak for so much money, but he plays a lot of games and he’s quite efficient. He’s got that ability to finish well.”
Carragher then asked Giroud if Isak and Ekitike can play together. He continued by suggesting Slot could play the latter on the wing depending on who Liverpool are facing: “Why not? [they can play together].
“Yeah, he can play on the wing, and Isak as a number nine, depends the team you face.
“If you know you will have the ball all game, it’s another string to your… [makes bow and arrow gesture].”
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Jamie Carragher looks on ahead of the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brighton and Hove Albion at Anfield
Credit: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
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Hugo Ekitike achieved impressive feat vs Brighton
His opening goal on December 13 was the fifth fastest goal Liverpool have scored in the Premier League throughout the competition’s history.
But not only is Ekitike in the history books for his first effort against Brighton, he is also just behind Daniel Sturridge when looking at another feat.
The 23-year-old, after both goals on Saturday, has now scored seven Premier League goals in 10 starts.
Only Sturridge, eight, found the back of the net on more occasions during his opening 10 top-flight league games for the club.
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