Gary Lineker says one of Liverpool’s problems has been solved after Alexander Isak’s injury

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Liverpool were brilliant against Eintracht Frankfurt, but they did not escape Germany without some injury problems.

Arne Slot’s side, after facing an early setback thanks to Rasmus Kristensen’s strike, found their tempo and control as they cruised to a 5-1 thrashing of the home side, ending their poor run of form for now.

They had entered this game facing the possibility of losing five games in a row, a feat that had not happened since 1953; however, they avoided it in style.

There were still issues in this game for the Reds, with the defence once again looking shaky, and then the injuries to Jeremie Frimpong and Alexander Isak have left Slot with a conundrum.

The Swedish striker had gone off at half-time following a performance which saw him have very minimal opportunities and chances to be brought into the game.

Gary Lineker says Hugo Ekitike can start in the centre with Alexander Isak injured

Isak is the £125 million signing everybody is talking about, not only because of how he tried to secure his transfer to Liverpool but also because he has not hit his stride just yet.

This injury is a significant blow to the striker, especially as his fitness levels were on point and the criticism was mounting over his performances.

READ MORE: One Liverpool player has been really trying to help Alexander Isak settle in at Anfield

However, Gary Lineker has seen the fortunate side of the injury to the 26-year-old for the team selection of the Dutchman, specifically at striker.

Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, the former Everton striker explained that this will now allow for Hugo Ekitike to be brought back into the starting lineup and will definitely allow Mohamed Salah to maintain his regular position on the right.

Lineker explained: “It solves a little dilemma for them, doesn’t it? The Isak groin injury. You can get Mo Salah back in, Ekitike down the centre.

“And you’re right about Ekitike, Micah. Of all the signings they’ve made this summer, obviously a couple of them have been kind of limited in terms of their training because of injuries, Frimpong again, and Isak as well, because of the nature of the move and the fact he missed pre-season. But Ekitike hit the ground running from day one.”

Hugo Ekitike should be starting regardless of Alexander Isak’s injury

While it is true that it means that Slot does not have to start his biggest money signing every game from now on, Ekitike should have been starting anyway.

The Frenchman proved in Germany and in his initial Premier League appearances that he has all the right attributes to start every game.

After the Frankfurt performance, the way this Liverpool side set up with Isak and Ekitike up front worked very well, even if it was only for a short period.

It proved that it can work, and it is not one for the other in every game, far from it.