Hugo Ekitike made feelings clear on Alexander Isak forcing him to make Liverpool role change

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There was barely a month in which Hugo Ekitike could call himself Liverpool's new big-money striker. The French star joined from Eintracht Frankfurt in July in a deal worth up to £79million, but that was eclipsed by Alexander Isak's record £125million arrival from Newcastle United just 40 days later.

Ekitike has already shown his team spirit, though, showing himself to be an all-rounder. Even before the Isak deal was officially confirmed, he made it clear he was ready to adapt his role at Liverpool to make room for a new main man up front.

Former PSG star Ekitike hit the ground running on Merseyside, scoring in both the Community Shield and Liverpool's first two Premier League matches of the season. He was signed with the aim of Liverpool adding a focal point to their attack, with Isak not thought to be available at the time, only for the Swede to open the door to an Anfield move by indicating his time at Newcastle was up.

Liverpool's record swoop left them with two high-priced players vying for the same position. However, Ekitike has shown his willingness to be flexible for the good of the team, even if it means giving up his spot as the main striker.

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"I do what the coach asks me to do, but yeah, I like to do everything," Ekitike said in an interview in late July . "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.

"So, I can do both – I can play alone and I like to play also with another striker and I think that's what makes me versatile, but you know now in football you need to adapt."

We're yet to get a proper feel for how Arne Slot plans to use the pair together in the long run. Isak's first season at Anfield has been interrupted by injury, with the Swede playing just 508 league minutes before suffering a leg fracture against Tottenham in December.

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The future of Mohamed Salah may be a factor in Slot's future plans, which could even involve a front two next season if Salah leaves Anfield. Florian Wirtz joined in the summer after operating as a number 10 with Bayer Leverkusen but has also been used off the left at times in England, while there could yet be more additions to the Reds' squad in 2026.

Nevertheless, Ekitike's acknowledgement that he'll fulfil whatever role his manager requires underlines what a team-oriented player he is, and how invaluable he could prove to boss Slot. In December, after it was confirmed that Isak would face an extended spell out, Slot sent Ekitike a message about what he wanted from him.

"Still he needs to get stronger but he has already become stronger," the manager said. "I don't think he changed a lot in all his offensive qualities. He's fast, he can score a goal, he has great footwork, he's got dribbling skills. He has so much in his locker, I think that's the way you say it here.

"I think he's adjusted to the Premier League now. Now he has to not only adjust but make sure, with his physique, how fast he is. He can become also physically outstanding, and that's where he's working really hard."

It may be that Slot decides to use Isak and Ekitike together in a two next season, or even that a new manager arrives with their own plans for the pair. So far, though, Ekitike has been making the right noises to suggest the two big-money signings are very much compatible at Anfield.

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