Liverpool ended what had been a dire run of form with a 1-0 win over Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The Reds went into the fixture without three of their senior forwards available for selection.
Mohamed Salah was dropped from the squad after his outburst at Leeds United over the weekend.
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Meanwhile, Federico Chiesa was ill, and Cody Gakpo is now out for a few weeks, forcing Arne Slot to get creative with his team selection.
Teenage star Rio Ngumoha could have been an option off the left, but the Dutchman instead opted to deploy Alexander Isak in a wider role, with Hugo Ekitike featuring as the primary number nine.
Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak need time to find a connection
It was a mixed night for Liverpool’s centre-forwards, and Slot has since given his reaction when speaking live on Amazon after the 1-0 win over Inter Milan.
He said: “The thinking behind the lineup is that there are not so many available. In my opinion, we don’t have wingers available except for Rio, who is very young.
“The most logical solution is two number nines. They [Ekitike and Isak] are good players, but it is normal that they need to find a connection together.”
As has so often been the case this season, Ekitike earned praise for his performance, with Alan Shearer labelling the Liverpool striker ‘clever’ during the clash.
However, his teammate on the evening did not fare anywhere near as well.
Liverpool fans were concerned about Isak’s display after the Swede was hooked in the 68th minute without having a shot on target.
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Unlike the Real Madrid victory last month, Liverpool can’t afford to make this a flash in the pan.
They must build on the performance and get a positive result out of the Brighton and Hove Albion game this weekend.
Gakpo will miss the game, while Chiesa, even if he has recovered in time, never starts under Slot anymore.
Ekitike should keep his place as the primary striker, while the ongoing Salah drama means we will almost certainly see Dominik Szoboszlai used off the right again.
The only position really up for debate is left-wing, but given how important getting three points in Saturday’s match could be for Liverpool’s season, an in-form Wirtz needs to come back into the team ahead of Isak.
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