Liverpool know they need some attacking reinforcements in the final days of the summer transfer window.
Arne Slot’s forward options are looking a little light heading into the season, with Hugo Ekitike the only new arrival through the door.
Liverpool are still trying to sign Alexander Isak, but a move for the Sweden international remains in the balance.
Part of the reason Slot could do with at least one more added to the Liverpool squad is because Mohamed Salah will leave for AFCON in December.
The Reds could be without Salah for a full month across Christmas and New Year and will have to find other solutions in the meantime.
After missing out on a call-up for France this month, there have also been concerns that Ekitike could opt to play for Cameroon during the tournament. And with the competition edging closer, a firm decision appears to have been made on that front.
Hugo Ekitike pictured in training for Liverpool
Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Cameroon manager shuts down Hugo Ekitike call-up
Losing both Ekitike and Salah at a crucial period of the season would be a body-blow for Liverpool, Isak or not.
Thankfully, however, Cameroon manager Marc Brys spoke out on Friday to declare that he had no intention of being Ekitike’s second-choice at international level.
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The Liverpool man was unlucky not to be called up by Didier Deschamps after a terrific start to life at Anfield, but in an explosive press conference, Brys suggested that Ekitike had potentially rejected Cameroon in favour of France and will not get another chance.
“I haven’t contacted him,” said the Belgian when asked about the 23-year-old.
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“He put all his money into trying to play for France and he didn’t succeed. And now we, Cameroon, are his second choice? I don’t need to be a second choice.
“He’s a good player, that’s not the issue. In the situation I described, he doesn’t deserve to come here.”
Will things change before AFCON?
Given there are two more European international breaks before AFCON begins, Ekitike certainly has not missed his chance to play for France.
If he continues to play well for Liverpool, it will become more and more difficult for Deschamps to ignore the £69m centre-forward.
Should the France manager stand firm and turn his nose up at Ekitike, he will still be eligible to play for Cameroon.
However, such is the strength of Brys’ rebuke this weekend, it is hard to see the Indomitable Lions calling him up.
All manner of things can happen before the tournament kicks off on December 21st, however, so Liverpool are not completely out of the woods just yet.