Following Liverpool’s convincing victory over Everton, a video of Alexander Isak’s reaction to Hugo Ekitike’s goal in the Merseyside derby has surfaced online.
Liverpool defeated Everton 2-1 on Saturday, earning three league points and bragging rights.
Ryan Gravenberch opened the opener before setting up Ekitike for a fantastic finish inside the box to double his team’s lead.
Idrissa Gueye fired back as Jack Grealish chastised the referee for implementing a regulation he’d never heard of in his career.
Arne Slot made changes for the Merseyside derby, dropping Florian Wirtz and Isak, who both began Liverpool’s Champions League match against Atletico Madrid in midweek.
Slot went with Ekitike up forward, and the Frenchman rewarded his manager’s faith by scoring.
And Isak celebrated his teammate’s goal as he warmed up on the sideline.
https://x.com/SamueILFC/status/1969402590442971441
Ekitike spoke with TNT Sports after the game and discussed vying with Isak for a spot in the starting lineup.
“He’s a very, very good player,” he added of his Swedish counterpart. “I was usually watching him before I came here. So, for me, having him here is fantastic.
“I am capable of learning and improving myself. It is a competition, but I know we will play together and make a difference. I hope we can share the pitch sometime.
“It is good. “It’s the coach’s problem,” he said. “I only perform my job. It’s good.
When asked if he had a selection headache, Slot said, “No, there is no headache at all. I believe these two players are ecstatic that we have them both.
“Maybe in the long run, they’ll wonder, ‘What does this imply for my playing time?’ But they both realise it’s really difficult for them to play three times [a week] for 90 minutes.
“Hugo is 22, comes from a different league to a new intensity.”
The Dutch manager explained: “Alex is not ready to play 90 minutes, let alone two or three times a week. But we’re trying to get him there as long as he stays fit, because that’s the tricky balance we need to strike.
“It’s good having two. You can ask me this question about any position, and you can ask every manager in the league about having two attackers, two No. 7s, and two No. 11s.
“That’s why everyone likes this league—there are so many outstanding players. Yes, we have two very good No. 9s, as do many other teams in this league.”
Ekitike has four goals in seven games this season, spanning all competitions.
Isak, on the other hand, is yet to open his Liverpool account despite playing two games for his new club after joining from Newcastle United in a British record trade.
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