Liverpool fans have come to a conclusion about Hugo Ekitike following their game against Athletic Bilbao amid the club’s pursuit of Alexander Isak.
Liverpool played back-to-back friendlies against Bilbao on Monday ahead of facing Crystal Palace in the Community Shield on Sunday.
A youthful team, which included the likes of Rio Ngumoha, Ben Doak and Trey Nyoni, beat the La Liga side 4-1 before Arne Slot fielded his first-team stars in the second game.
Summer signings Jeremie Frimping and Florian Wirtz played from the start, not to mention Ekitike, who was recruited from Eintracht Frankfurt in a transfer worth up to £79 million.
The Frenchman looked sharp in attack and played a huge role in his side’s first goal that was scored by Mohamed Salah.
Dominik Szoboszlai played a through ball to Ekitike, who raced onto it before brilliantly creating an opening by setting up Salah, who made no mistake in front of goal.
Ekitike, who played 57 minutes of his team’s 3-2 victory, floated from the left on several occasions in the first-half and poised a huge threat.
Following his stellar performance, Liverpool fans are convinced the 23-year-old can play on the left-wing while Isak can operate down the middle should he sign from Newcastle United this summer.
One X user wrote: “Ekitike can 100 per cent play on the left if Isak joins btw.”
A second said: “Ekitike looks really good drifting to the left for me.”
A third suggested: “Ekitike – Isak – Salah.”
A fourth added: “Ekitike still not the lethal goal poacher we need it makes sense why we want to splash money on Isak.”
Another argued: “Ekitike looks class, keep the 130m we want to spend on Isak, and spend it elsewhere. Hugo looks incredible.”
So, if Slot gets his way and lands Isak, then he could have a front three of Ekitike (LW), Salah (RW) and Isak (CF).
An attacking trident of Ekitike, Salah and Isak would stand Liverpool in good stead to defend their Premier League title in the 2025/26 campaign.
What has Hugo Ekitike said about Liverpool’s pursuit of Alexander Isak?
Ekitike hasn’t directly responded to reports linking Liverpool with a sensational move for Isak, but he gave a telling answer when asked about his versatility in attack.
He said he can play both ‘alone’ and ‘with another’ striker, fuelling speculation and exciting Liverpool fans.
“I can’t define myself only as a striker [who likes] to finish: I like to play, I like to be in the game, in the collective part of play [and] create also,” he said during his official unveiling.
“So, I can do both – I can play alone and I like to play also with another striker.”