https://x.com/indykaila/status/1989228515166654847?s=20
Playing from the left … 
Salah-Isak-Ekitike
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Isak has everything to prove yet. For me, the first name on the team-sheet for our forward line is now Ekitike. This boy is pure gold, and in brilliant form right now.
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I agree, but in reality when Isak is fit he will likely be first choice because of the price tag. I’m not advocating that, but it’s just the way it works in football. I think for now Hugo is our number 9 - but when inevitably Isak takes that spot week in and week out then Hugo from either flank could work. He could play that Henry position inside left I would say with his ability. I know it’s not fashionable these days, but having a right footed player on the right is also worth doing sometimes to mix things up. Again I see no reason he couldn’t be effective there as the years roll on.
A few have spoken of playing 2 up top - in theory maybe but I don’t think modern managers will go for it, especially at a top club like us. The issue with choosing to do some thing unorthodox is it has to work. If it doesn’t then the criticism is 10 times as much for going outside the norm. Most teams play 3 up when attacking and I don’t see that changing any time soon.
But I love Hugo, I think he’s a great player and I’d have him as number 9 regardless of Isak!! But then I’m not Liverpool manager.
Wow, he’s still yet to play on the left for Liverpool and we’re already imagining him on the right.
With his technical ability, I want his right foot bang in the centre of action or more open towards the game (which would be from a role on the left), not hidden somewhere in an inside right position.
And the price tag won’t decide anything, because it’s also not like Ekitike came on a free, compared to Isak. Performances will. We’ve seen it with numerous examples like Diouf, Keane, Carroll, Benteke, etc. It can buy time at the club though, it can be more difficult to sell. But let’s hope we don’t have to do it.
We’ll see how it evolves with time. I’d first like to see both players 100% fit and firing. Hopefully it happens while Salah is in Africa and then we might see a few (at least short-term) solutions.
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The one and only thing I don’t want to see is Ekitike’s development hampered with Isak getting the nod on a regular basis. Ekitike is currently our best striker, so keep him in the line-up. Questions whether Isak can be accommodated or not is of secundary importance imo, regardless of his stupidly elevated price-tag. As @Zoran says, it’s not as if the club has paid peanuts in order to get Ekitike.
Of course, I hope that Slot will find an efficient solution to accomodate the two of them, but if it’s not possible, then right now, it’s Ekitike for me, all the way.
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I totally agree with you 100%, I am just not sure that Ekitike can keep Isak out of that position when the club broke the transfer record for him and he has previously scored a fuck load of goals for Wimbledon mk2. Ekitike has been brilliant and I actually feel for him knowing Isak will be breathing down his neck. Maybe long term Hugo will play left or something with Isak through the middle and it’ll all click. I’m all for healthy competition for places, but this situation is just odd in my opinion. The best analogy I can think of is that it’s a little bit like having 2 ‘number 1’ goalkeepers rather than a clear first choice - In principle it sounds great, but the reality is that it’s impossible to manage.
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Delivered as ordered 
How on earth didn’t Slot start Ekitike today? He was on fire with France, and also previously with us. And yet, he starts with Isak who is hopelessly off form, and keeps the former on the bench.
The mind boggles… 
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He needs to stick players to play their natural positions. A defender you play in defence, midfielder in midfield and attacker in attack. You have the odd player who can play hybrid in between then fair enough but it just starts to look a mess when your backline is 2 CMs
He hasn’t really been on fire since August though. Before today he had 1 goal contribution in the last 8 league games and he’s scored 1 goal for France over 3 international breaks.
Mateta, Welbeck, Thiago are players who’ve been on fire.
From our point of view there are always selection head scratchers after international breaks. But we have no idea what condition players are returning in and what niggles they are carrying. Selection is massively informed by the sports science at the best of times, but even more so just after internationals.
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I know so little about Isak that for me what we see is what we get, is what we bought. He looks useless and out of his depth to me. I can not imagine how he gets to start, I reckon Endo could do better up top and I’ve written him off for this season (hasn’t got it anymore despite still having the will).
If I was Ekitikè I’d be looking for a new club it’s that embarrassing.
You don’t put a second rate player on to start a game when you have the real McCoy.
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Thing is, the alleged “second rate” is the transfer record, successful striker.
His performance yesterday was atrocious. But he IS a quality player.
Never said others don’t think so however all his performances for us have been the same. Which for this level I think can be described as clueless and lazy.
I find Flob’s comment a bit harsh, but I know who it’s from, and honestly, I have to agree with him for the most part. If you look at it from the outside and aren’t particularly familiar with the players of other English clubs, which is also the case for me, and aren’t Swedish, then… I’m sorry, Isak’s development completely passed me by. I only know him from his time in Dortmund and initially couldn’t understand all the hype surrounding him. So I decided to wait and see… and well, so far I see absolutely nothing that justified all the drama in the summer. I feel really sorry for Hugo tbh.
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Wishful thinking.
Slot publicly stated that he was starting Isak ahead of fitter players. It was common knowledge before the game, and it was proven so during the game.
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Mbappe and Haaland would struggle to get 10 goals a season in a team that doesn’t have a fucking clue how to service a CF.
It’s a shocking situation and a problem we had before Isak and Ekiteke signed.
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Started 4 league games. Subbed on in one.
And this is your analysis.
Let this settle with you…
He is a top class striker, out of sorts, no cohesive play finding him.
Calling him clueless and lazy is, well fucking clueless and lazy.
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So what do you know about him?
What makes him top class?
More than you obviously.
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