Liverpool is a club that has always lived with pressure, expectation and big names. For years, the red half of Merseyside has demanded strikers that can make them dream. From the days of Fernando Torres to Luis Suárez, from Daniel Sturridge to Roberto Firmino, Liverpool’s forward line has always been the beating heart of their team. And now, under new boss Arne Slot, there is a fresh storm at Anfield, a storm created by two men whose presence has left fans screaming with excitement and the manager scratching his head with a sweet problem. That storm is called Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak. The Merseyside derby victory over Everton showed it once again, and the noise that came from The Kop after the final whistle proved that Liverpool might have found a new cult hero, a striker who has walked into Anfield and stolen hearts without hesitation.
Hugo Ekitike, just 23 years old, signed from Eintracht Frankfurt for £70 million in the summer, was the last Liverpool player to leave the pitch at Anfield on that Saturday afternoon. With his fists in the air, he saluted The Kop and the thousands of Liverpool fans who had sung his name from the very first minute. The French forward had scored Liverpool’s second goal in the 2-1 victory, finishing neatly under Jordan Pickford to put his team in control before Everton pushed back. And as he left the pitch in the 67th minute, replaced by the British record signing Alexander Isak, the crowd rose to their feet and gave him a standing ovation that many players wait years to earn. For Ekitike, it took just five games. That tells you everything about how quickly he has settled and how much he has connected with the Liverpool faithful.
This was not just a goal in any match, it was a goal in the Merseyside derby, one of the most fierce and emotional rivalries in English football. Anfield was shaking, the tension was heavy, but Ekitike stood tall and delivered. The Kop rewarded him with their love, and as he left the pitch, you could see his smile. There was no fear, no pressure, no sign that the £70m fee was weighing on him. Instead, it was joy, connection, belief. And for Arne Slot, watching from the touchline, it was also a problem. Not a bad problem, but one that every manager secretly wishes for. How do you keep both Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak happy when both are central strikers, both are young, both are hungry, and both have the quality to lead Liverpool’s attack?
Ekitike has wasted no time showing why Liverpool fought hard to sign him. He has already scored three goals in the Premier League and added an assist, with a conversion rate that shows he is clinical in front of goal. He is not just about finishing either. He is a worker, someone who presses defenders, who runs into channels, who uses his body and his intelligence to make life uncomfortable for opponents. He is a striker who fits perfectly into the philosophy of pressing and intensity that Liverpool has lived by in recent years. Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock said it clearly on BBC Radio 5 Live: “Hugo Ekitike is just getting better and better. When he gets on the ball, he is a danger and he has been so impressive in his short time at Liverpool.” That is not just analysis, that is admiration, and Warnock is not the only one who sees it.
At the same time, Liverpool fans have not forgotten Alexander Isak. The Swedish striker was brought in from Newcastle for £125m, breaking the British transfer record. His signing made headlines all across Europe. The tall, elegant forward who destroyed defenders at St James’ Park is now wearing Liverpool red, and that alone shows the ambition of the club. But for now, Isak is still regaining sharpness. Against Everton, he started on the bench, and when he came on, he looked a little rusty. That is natural after fitness issues and adaptation to a new system. Yet, nobody doubts his ability. He is a striker who can score out of nothing, who can run behind defences and dominate in the box. Slot knows that once Isak is fully fit, he will be unstoppable. And so the question becomes louder every day: how do you fit both Isak and Ekitike into the same team?
The manager himself has hinted at the possibilities. He has suggested that sometimes Liverpool can play with two strikers, even experimenting with a 4-4-2 system. He has also mentioned that Ekitike can play off the left, giving him freedom to cut inside and combine with Isak. That, of course, would push someone like Cody Gakpo out of the starting lineup, and fans are already debating who should make way. After the Everton game, social media was full of posts calling for Gakpo to be dropped so that both Ekitike and Isak can start together. Supporters are demanding to see the dream partnership in action, and when The Kop wants something, it often becomes a reality sooner rather than later.
The derby itself was the perfect stage for these conversations. Liverpool started strong, with Ryan Gravenberch scoring early before Ekitike doubled the lead. Anfield was electric, but Everton fought back, with Idrissa Gueye pulling one back and setting up a tense finish. For the last half an hour, Liverpool fans were nervous, but the team held on. What stood out, however, was not just the result, but the way Ekitike played. His energy, his runs, his desire to fight for every ball made him look like a player who had been at Anfield for years. This is why the crowd sang his name, this is why they celebrated him so much. A player who gives everything on the pitch always wins the hearts of Liverpool fans, and Ekitike has already shown he understands that
Arne Slot knows he has a long season ahead, with Premier League, Champions League, domestic cups, and the pressure of defending the title. Having two strikers of this quality is not just a luxury, it is a necessity. Injuries will come, fatigue will come, rotation will be needed. But even then, the question will remain: who is Liverpool’s number one striker? Is it Ekitike, the new cult hero who has hit the ground running, or Isak, the record signing who carries the weight of expectation? For now, Slot does not have to decide. He can rotate, he can experiment, he can find balance. But soon, the calls from fans will grow louder, and the decision will not be easy.
The numbers already favour Ekitike. Three goals, one assist, a conversion rate above 60%, endless running, and a bond with the fans that money cannot buy. Isak, for now, has only minutes from the bench and a reputation to protect. But reputations mean little at Anfield when someone else is delivering on the pitch. This is what makes the conundrum so fascinating. Slot knows that whoever he chooses, he cannot afford to lose the confidence of the other. Strikers need rhythm, they need minutes, they need to feel trusted. Dropping either for too long could cause problems. Managing egos is part of the game, and this is where Slot will be tested.
Liverpool’s summer transfer business raised eyebrows across Europe. Spending £70m on Ekitike and £125m on Isak in the same window looked risky. Critics said it was too much, that one of them would suffer, that balance would be lost. But so far, it looks like Liverpool may have pulled off something special. Ekitike has settled immediately, while Isak will soon hit his stride. And when both are flying, Liverpool’s attack will be a nightmare for any defence. Add Mohamed Salah still doing his magic, Florian Wirtz slowly finding his rhythm, and Gravenberch scoring from midfield, and you have a team with frightening options.
What makes it even more dangerous is the fact that Liverpool have not even hit their top form yet. They are winning games, five out of five in the league, without playing with the sparkle of champions. Slot himself admitted it after the Everton game: “I don’t care about the early kick-off, but when you play on Wednesday night and then Saturday, you have to manage the week. Taking that into account, to win the derby with a great first-half performance is good. Our mentality kept us in the game.” These words showed that he knows Liverpool are grinding results even when tired. And that should worry every rival, because if they are this good while not at their best, how unstoppable will they be when all the new signings settle fully?
Ekitike’s story at Liverpool is just beginning, but already it feels like he was made for Anfield. From his debut goal in the Community Shield against Crystal Palace to his derby strike against Everton, he has written his name into the early chapters of his Liverpool journey. The way he carries himself, the way he interacts with fans, the way he celebrates every goal with raw emotion – it is everything Liverpool supporters love. This is why his name is sung, why The Kop already calls him one of their own. And for Isak, this only means he has to step up and show why Liverpool paid that record fee. When he does, and he will, Liverpool will have two strikers who could each lead the line for almost any team in Europe.
This is the dream and the dilemma. A dream because few managers in world football have two forwards of this level to choose from. A dilemma because picking one will always feel like sacrificing the other. But perhaps, Slot will find a way to play them both. Perhaps Liverpool will evolve into a team with two central strikers, or with Ekitike drifting wide to create chaos while Isak dominates centrally. Football has no fixed rules, and innovation often comes from necessity. Maybe this conundrum will push Liverpool into a new tactical era, one that could make them even more dangerous.
For now, the fans do not care too much about the details. All they see is a young striker scoring in a derby, fist pumping The Kop, and giving everything for the badge. That is enough. They know Isak’s time will come, they know Salah will still deliver, they know Wirtz will shine. But in this moment, Hugo Ekitike is the name on their lips, the hero of Anfield, the man who has given them belief and excitement. And for Arne Slot, the challenge is simple but also incredibly difficult: keep the goals flowing, keep the players happy, keep Liverpool winning. Because as long as Liverpool are winning, this conundrum will be called a dream. But if the wins stop, it will become a headache.
And so the story continues. Liverpool march on, Ekitike keeps scoring, Isak keeps waiting, the fans keep singing, and the Premier League keeps watching with envy. Because every other manager in the league would love to have this problem. But only Arne Slot has it, and only Liverpool fans get to enjoy it.
