As Liverpool look to reshape their attack once again this summer, Hugo Ekitike has given Arne Slot some food for thought during the international break.
The Frenchman enjoyed a good night while playing against Brazil in Massachusetts, scoring the winning goal in a 2-1 victory.
Lining up in a sensational front line alongside Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele, Ekitike has hinted at why Slot should look to sign similarly fluid players at Liverpool.
Which players should Liverpool target to replace Mohamed Salah this summer? 🤔
A seven-man shortlist has already been reported:
- Desire Doue
- Bradley Barcola
- Nico Williams
- Yan Diomande
- Anthony Gordon
- Jarrod Bowen
- Michael Olise
Ekitike tells Slot how to make Liverpool fun again
If Liverpool supporters get their way, their new attack could look very similar to the one deployed by Didier Deschamps on Thursday evening.
Ekitike played off the left for France, with Mbappe as the most advanced, central striker, Dembele in behind him and Olise off the right. There’s no reason Slot could not do something in the same vein, swapping Isak for Mbappe, Dembele for Wirtz and a new right winger for Olise.
It certainly suited Ekitike, and while speaking to TF1 via Footmercato after the game, the 23-year-old admitted that he had really enjoyed the fluid interchanges with Mbappe and Dembele in particular.
“It’s enjoyable, these are the matches I used to watch on TV,” he said. “I’m very happy to be playing against this legendary nation. Winning in the end is the ultimate goal.”
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“I’m just trying to do my job, to integrate well into the team. Before looking for players who perform well, you need players who are good for the group. With players like Kylian and Ousmane, I have the opportunity to go wherever I want. I like being able to be free, and it’s great if I gain points.
“I’m enjoying myself and helping the French team win. I still have a lot of progress to make; this is a pivotal year for me. It’s a real source of pride, and I’m taking everything I can get. I hope I’ll be there, and I’ll continue to do what I’m doing.”
Liverpool must follow France’s blueprint
There are not many teams who can boast the attacking riches France currently do, but should they go big on a new right-sided forward this summer, Liverpool will be one of them.
All season long there has been debate over how the Reds can fit Ekitike, Isak, Wirtz and Salah into the same team, but the sad fact is that all four players have simply never been available at the same time.
Once they are – with a new player obviously taking Salah’s place – they could do something very, very similar to France.
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Fluidity is the name of the game, and in Ekitike, Wirtz and Isak, Slot already has three players who are all capable of versatility. Whoever the new signing ends up being, they must also fit this mould.
The upshot of this is that only two sitting midfielders will be able to start on any given day, which could have ramifications for the futures of Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister.
It may also mean Liverpool giving up some defensive solidity, but, as Ekitike says, at least it would make life fun for the attackers once again.
After a season where the enjoyment has been sucked out of watching the Reds, that is all supporters really want. Slot must listen to Ekitike and do whatever possible to make it happen. If the players are having fun, results and trophies will eventually follow.
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