A video of Alexander Isak’s reaction to Hugo Ekitike’s goal in the Merseyside derby has emerged online following Liverpool’s big win over Everton.
Liverpool beat Everton 2-1 on Saturday to not only secure three league points but also bragging rights.
Ryan Gravenberch opened the scoring then turned provider as he set up Ekitike, who produced a cool finish inside the box to double his side’s lead.
Idrissa Gueye pulled one back as Jack Grealish bemoaned the referee for enforcing a rule he has never heard of in his career.
Arne Slot rang the changes for the Merseyside derby as he dropped Florian Wirtz and Isak, who both started Liverpool’s Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid in midweek.
Slot opted for Ekitike up front, with the Frenchman repaying his manager’s faith by getting on the score-sheet.
And his strike was celebrated by Isak, who was seen reacting to his teammate’s goal as he warmed up on the touchline.
Ekitike spoke to TNT Sports after the final whistle and shared his thoughts on competing with Isak for a spot in the starting XI.
“He’s a very, very good player,” he said of the Swede. “I always watched him before I came here. So for me, him being here is really good.
“I can learn and improve myself. It’s competition, but I know we’re going to play together, we’re going to make a difference. I hope one day we’re going to share the pitch.
“It’s good. It’s the coach’s problem,” he added. “I just do my job. It’s good.”
Asked whether he has a selection headache, Slot replied: “No there’s no headache at all. I even think these two players are very happy that we have them both.
“Maybe for the long-term they would think ‘what does this mean for my playing time’, but both of them know that it’s very hard for them to play three times [a week] 90 [minutes].
“Hugo is 22, comes from a different league to a new intensity.”
The Dutch boss explained: “Alex is far from ready to play 90 let alone two or three times a week. But we are trying to bring him there, as long as he stays fit, because that is the difficult balance we have to find.
“It’s nice to have two. You can ask me this question about every position, you can go to every manager in the league and ask him about having two strikers, two No. 7s, two No. 11s.
“That’s why everybody loves this league, because there are so many great players. And yes, we have two very good No. 9s as well, like many other teams in this league.”
Ekitike has scored four goals in seven games across all competitions this season.
As for Isak, he has yet to open his Liverpool account, having played two games for his new side following his British-record transfer from Newcastle United.