The summer transfer window is always full of unexpected twists and turns, and the story of two strikers and their moves to Liverpool is a perfect example.
When the window finally slammed shut, Liverpool had pulled off two major coups, signing both Alexander Isak from Newcastle United and Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt.
However, according to a well-informed French football expert, one of those players might have chosen a very different path if he had known what was going to happen behind the scenes.
Julien Laurens, a respected voice on European football, has suggested that Hugo Ekitike would likely have turned down a move to Anfield if he had been aware that Liverpool were still actively pursuing Alexander Isak.
The French international completed his £69 million move to Merseyside at a time when a deal for Isak seemed to be completely off the table.
Newcastle had initially closed the door on selling their star striker, which led Liverpool to switch their focus and secure Ekitike as their main forward signing.
The situation changed dramatically on deadline day. Alexander Isak’s decision to go on strike and refuse to train with Newcastle forced the club’s hand, and Liverpool seized the opportunity to make a British record £125 million offer that was accepted.
This left Liverpool with two new high-profile strikers, but it also created a clear hierarchy. Isak, a proven Premier League goal scorer, immediately became the first-choice option, with Ekitike now facing a fight for playing time.
Laurens explained that Ekitike was actually very close to joining Newcastle himself, as he was seen as the potential replacement for Isak if a sale did eventually go through.
The plan was never for the two to be competing for the same spot at the same club. The expert was very clear that if both players are fit, the choice will always be Isak over Ekitike to lead the line.
While it is possible to play them together, it would require Ekitike to play out of his preferred position on the left wing.
This new dynamic was on display during Liverpool’s thrilling 3-2 Champions League win over Atletico Madrid. Isak was given the starting role and played for 58 minutes before being substituted for Ekitike.
Manager Arne Slot was very pleased with Isak’s performance, especially given that the Swedish striker had missed the entire pre-season and had very little training time with his new teammates.
Slot admitted he was “positively surprised” by how fit Isak looked during his hour on the pitch.
He pointed out that there is a big difference between signing a young player from a foreign league and bringing in a 25-year-old who is already accustomed to the pace and physicality of the Premier League.
That existing experience allowed Isak to step in and make a contribution much quicker than a newcomer might have. The manager was quick to praise Isak’s obvious quality, something he said is plain for everyone to see.
The challenge now for Slot is to carefully manage the fitness of his new record signing, building up his minutes gradually to avoid injury.
For Hugo Ekitike, the challenge is different. He must now adapt to a role as a squad player, waiting for his opportunities and proving that he can compete with the main man.
It is a difficult situation for any player, especially one who just became a club’s record signing a few weeks earlier.
The entire saga is a reminder that in the high-stakes world of football transfers, a player’s destiny can change in an instant based on decisions made in a boardroom far away from the pitch.
