Liverpool summer signing Hugo Ekitike enjoyed a bright start to his Anfield career and Alan Shearer couldn't resist an Alexander Isak dig
Alan Shearer.
Alan Shearer fired a tongue-in-cheek tweet amid Alexander Isak's transfer saga over a move to Liverpool.
(Image: Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Newcastle United icon Alan Shearer has posted a tongue-in-cheek warning to Liverpool target Alexander Isak. The Magpies hero aimed a jibe at the wantaway forward following a scintillating debut from Hugo Ekitike.
The Frenchman continued his fine run of form after netting in last weekend's Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace with a goal and assist in the Premier League opener. Ekitike led the line for the Reds, with speculation surrounding interest in the Swede intensifying as he remains banished from Eddie Howe's side.
The 23-year-old opened the scoring with his persistence, earning him a stroke of luck as he finished past Djordje Petrovic.
Shortly after the interval, he turned provider to double Liverpool's lead as he found Cody Gakpo who cut inside and converted into the bottom corner.
There is a lot of discussion surrounding Liverpool's transfer business this summer with the Reds having a £110million bid rejected for the Newcastle star.
Arne Slot's side already beat their Premier League rivals to the signing of the former Eintracht Frankfurt striker after Newcastle saw a bid rejected before Liverpool swooped in with a deal worth £79million.
The prospect of signing Isak alongside Ekitike has raised questions over whether the talismanic figures will be able to fit into the Dutchman's starting 11.
And Shearer decided to lean into the debate in a ploy to dissuade Isak from making the cross-Premier League switch.
"Surely any forward thinking of going to Liverpool, will be having second thoughts now having to play second fiddle to the brilliant Ekitike all season?," he joked.
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Jamie Carragher shared his concern over Liverpool signing both players, which could cost a combined £300million if a deal for Isak could be struck.
He argued that the Reds could not have an £80m back-up, the 47-year-old said: "I've questioned the Isak thing a little bit. The only thing is I'm not quite sure where the lad [Hugo Ekitike] will get his minutes, which is upfront.
"It's hard to play the two of them up front because [Florian] Wirtz will be in the 10, he just cost £115million so he will play every game that he is fit, the same as Isak.
"The lad will end up filling in for Isak or play some minutes on the left but I don't know if he'll ever fulfill his full potential if you sign someone like Isak.
"I'm only thinking from a managers point of view and that players' hierarchy.
"There's five or six who play week in week out, when you spend that amount of money, Isak becomes one of them.
"I sometimes think, competition for certain places and sometimes an understudy, if Isak comes in for Liverpool, Ekitike is an understudy and £80milion for me, is a lot of money for an understudy."