On the evidence of the first three games of the 2025-26 Premier League campaign, Liverpool started the season with an attacking trio that could be counted amongst the best in Europe with established stars Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo flanking new summer signing Hugo Ekitike.
The problem was that for a club looking to defend a Premier League title, push for glory in the Champions League, and play 60+ games in all competitions there was a need for more. More depth, more quality, more options. And that meant signing superstar striker Alexander Isak.
Given all three of Isak, Ekitike, and Gakpo have some positional flexibility it’s easy to imagine combinations involving all four players, with Federico Chiesa and Rio Ngumoha on hand to take any spare minutes left. At the same time, Isak is a striker first and foremost. As is Ekitike.
“It’s fun,” was Ekitike’s response when asked about the signing of a player who could primarily end up competing with him for playing time. “When you play for the best teams, you expect to be competing with the best players. Isak is a player I’ve watched too, so seeing him arrive is a pleasure.
“It’s going to be tough competition, but I’m going to focus on performing well so it’s a problem for the manager. When you have this kind of standard, you have to show that you belong here and you have to continue to perform. But it’s a position that I like and that I want to keep.”
Ekitike made his senior France debut on Friday, coming off the bench against Ukraine in a late cameo after being called up to replace the injured Rayan Cherki. He will get a chance at another cap before returning to the Reds when France take on Iceland in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday.