Hugo Ekitike concern arises after Alexander Isak arrival as Arne Slot sent warning
When Liverpool fans saw the arrivals of Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak in the same summer, many wondered how Arne Slot was going to manage two players who play almost the exact same role. Both are young, both are hungry, both are strikers who love to operate through the middle, and both carry the expectations of supporters who dream of Liverpool returning to the very top of English football. But now, even though Hugo Ekitike has started his career at Anfield in a bright and exciting way, questions are already being asked about his future, and it is former Chelsea star Florent Malouda who has sounded the loudest warning.
Malouda, who knows all about the difficulties of competing for a place at a top Premier League club, has spoken openly about the danger Ekitike now faces. In his eyes, the arrival of Alexander Isak could block the young striker’s pathway, could slow down his development, and could even see his minutes on the pitch reduced at the very moment he is beginning to shine. These words have created shockwaves among supporters, because they come at a time when Ekitike is enjoying the start of his Liverpool journey.
The young French striker has already shown flashes of why Liverpool paid money for him. He scored in the Community Shield against Crystal Palace, a game that ended in disappointment for the Reds but still highlighted his movement and finishing ability. He then followed that up with goals in both of his first two Premier League appearances, quickly becoming a fan favourite. His energy, his pressing, his knack for being in the right place at the right time – all of it has brought excitement to Anfield. But the problem is that Liverpool have also brought in Isak, one of the most highly-rated strikers in Europe, and there is a growing belief that the tall Swede will become Arne Slot’s preferred number nine
This is where the drama begins. Football is not just about talent, it is about opportunity. Ekitike may have talent, but does he have opportunity? Malouda’s warning is clear: if Liverpool place all their trust in Isak, if Slot builds his system around the former Newcastle striker, then Ekitike could become a backup option, left to wait for scraps of minutes in cup games or late substitutions. For a 22-year-old who needs games to grow, this is dangerous. This is how careers stall. This is how potential is wasted.
Liverpool supporters are split. Some believe competition is healthy, that having two strikers battling for one spot will push both to their best levels. Others fear that Ekitike, the younger and less established of the two, will be the one to suffer. And these fears are not without reason. Slot is known as a manager who prefers clear structures in attack. At Feyenoord, he trusted his main striker completely, building the team around him. If he repeats the same with Isak, then Ekitike could find himself playing second fiddle no matter how well he performs.
The comparison is unavoidable. Isak is taller, more physical, and has more experience in the Premier League. He has already proven himself with Newcastle, scoring against the biggest teams and earning a reputation as one of the deadliest forwards in England. Ekitike, meanwhile, is still developing. He has speed, flair, and an instinct for goals, but he is not yet the finished product. This difference could influence Slot’s choices. For a manager under pressure to win now, experience usually wins over potential.
Related Posts:
Malouda’s words echo the fear that Liverpool could mishandle a precious gem. He knows from his own career how quickly things can change. At Chelsea, he was once a key figure but soon found himself on the sidelines when new signings arrived. He has seen young talents swallowed by the demands of big clubs, and he does not want the same for his fellow Frenchman. His advice is not an attack on Liverpool or on Isak; it is a message to Ekitike to be careful, to stay focused, to fight for his place but also to understand the realities of top-level football.
The story of Ekitike and Isak at Liverpool is already shaping into a battle of destiny. It is not just about who scores more goals, but about who wins the trust of Arne Slot. The manager will be judged on results, and his decisions will shape not only Liverpool’s season but the careers of these two forwards. Every training session, every substitute appearance, every goal, and every mistake will count. Fans will watch closely, the media will write endlessly, and both players will feel the pressure.
The drama is even greater when you consider the wider picture. Liverpool are in a moment of change. With Mohamed Salah’s future uncertain and other attacking players like Darwin Núñez struggling for consistency, the club needs a reliable striker who can carry the team. Isak has been bought to be that man. But Ekitike has shown that he can also rise to the occasion. What happens if he keeps scoring every time he plays? What happens if he refuses to be ignored? These are the questions that could cause sleepless nights for Arne Slot.
For now, supporters are torn between excitement and worry. Excitement at having two brilliant young strikers in the squad. Worry that one of them could be wasted. Malouda’s warning has only added fuel to the debate. Because football history is full of players who started well but faded away because opportunities dried up. Nobody at Liverpool wants Ekitike to become another forgotten name. He has the talent to be a star. But talent needs time. It needs trust. It needs faith. And in a squad where Alexander Isak looks set to lead the line, there is a real danger that Hugo Ekitike may not get enough of any of those things.
The Premier League is ruthless. It does not wait for players to develop. It does not care about potential. It only cares about results. And in this ruthless environment, Hugo Ekitike now stands at a crossroads. Will he fight his way into becoming Liverpool’s future? Or will he be pushed aside by the shadow of Alexander Isak? Florent Malouda has raised the alarm. Now it is up to Liverpool, to Arne Slot, and most of all, to Ekitike himself, to prove that his story at Anfield will not end before it has even truly begun.
