Hugo Ekitike was kept quiet for much of Liverpool’s clash with Sunderland under the lights, and cut a frustrated figure.
Liverpool were aggressive from the off in this tie.
They spent much of the first half in the home side’s final third, but only managed two shots on target before the break.
Salah and Wirtz were linking up well and Cody Gakpo got in some promising areas.
Who was Liverpool’s best player in the excellent win over Sunderland, and why?
What a win!
Sunderland v Liverpool - Premier League
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Ekitike was hardly a factor, though, and he was letting his feelings show.
Joe Cole on the source of Hugo Ekitike’s ire vs Sunderland
So Liverpool were on the front foot, but the Frenchman was out of the game completely.
Regis Le Bris praised Ekitike ahead of the game. You would imagine that affected the gameplan.
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But he was making the right runs, it’s just no one was finding him.
Cole explained on the TNT Sports broadcast: “Ekitike has been getting frustrated. He’s been making a few runs these past few minutes, they’re not getting their heads up.
Sunderland v Liverpool - Premier League
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“It’s so difficult for Liverpool to find gaps in between.”
Sunderland kept it compact, and showed why they came into this tie unbeaten at home in the Premier League.
It’s not something Ekitike struggled with earlier in the season, but it has happened in recent games. Very reminiscent of the early days of Liverpool’s other number nine.
Alexander Isak had this problem a lot for Liverpool
You’d almost forget Liverpool have another elite striker on the books, with the Swede sidelined for some time now.
Isak was a non-factor in his first weeks (if not months) as a Red.
The British transfer record signing couldn’t get into a scoring rhythm and it was obvious from watching that a lack of chemistry with his teammates was the driving factor.
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Alexander Isak during Leeds United v Liverpool - Premier League
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Ekitike had no such issues in his first months, but we are seeing him go missing more and more lately.
That will be a priority for Slot this season and maybe beyond — addressing the service issues that his side struggles with so often.
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