The debate over Liverpool’s number nine continues after Alexander Isak’s goalless start to the Premier League season. The Sweden international was handed another start in Arne Slot’s first XI for Sunday’s 2-1 home defeat to Manchester United, but struggled to make an impact, registering just two shots on goal.
A big chance in the first half, played through by Ibrahima Konate, went begging, and Isak spent much of the game dropping deeper to link play rather than threatening the United defence.
00:00The debate over Liverpool's number nine continues after Alexander Izak's goal to start to the Premier League season.
00:09The Swede international was handed another start to Narnie Schlott's first eleven for Sunday's 2-1 home defeat to Manchester United,
00:17but struggled to make an impact, registering just two shots on goal.
00:22The big chance in the first half played through by Ibrahim Okunate went begging,
00:27Izak spent much of the game dropping deeper to link play rather than threatening the United backline.
00:34Since joining the Reds in a British transfer record of £125m from Newcastle,
00:40Izak has scored only once in a 2-1 EFL Cup third round win over Southampton.
00:45His lack of goals in the league has sparked debate over whether a change in the starting striker role is needed.
00:54Both Gary Lineker and Micah Richards have suggested that Hugo Eketike should start ahead of Izak.
01:01Speaking on the rest is football, Lineker asked at the moment if you're picking your nine Hugo Eketike ahead of Izak.
01:08Richards responded without a doubt, you've just answered the question yourself.
01:13Eketike, £69m signing from Eintracht Frankfurt, enjoyed a strong start at Liverpool, scoring in each of his first three league appearances.
01:23Since then he's added two more goals in eight games, including the EFL Cup win over Southampton and a 2-1 victory in the Derby over Everton.
01:32Despite his form, the 23-year-old French striker hasn't made more than two starts in Liverpool's last six games,
01:39coming in the 1-0 defeat at Galatasaray in the Champions League.
01:43In Sunday's clash with Manchester United, Eketike was brought off the bench and managed two shots, but none on target.
01:51Liverpool manager Arne Slott has indicated that Izak is fully fit and ready, but the forward struggles in front of goal have put the spotlight on Eketike as a potential starting option.
02:03With upcoming fixtures and the team looking to build momentum, the decision over who leads the line could prove decisive in shaping Liverpool's attacking form for the rest of the season.
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