Ekitiké vs Isak: Which striker is winning the Liverpool spot under Slot?
Ekitiké vs Isak has become the simple question fans shout about in pubs, on Twitter, and on the Kop. Both players arrived this summer with weight on their shoulders.
Both have already shown reasons to be excited and reasons to worry. This piece looks straight at what happened, what the manager Arne Slot says, how each striker fits the team, what the numbers and the eye test say, and why this still feels wide open.
Where things stand between Ekitiké and Isak right now
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Hugo Ekitiké scored a late winner in Liverpool’s cup tie against Southampton, but was sent off soon after for taking his shirt off, having already been booked.
Slot called that sending off “st*pid” in his post match comments. That red card puts Ekitiké out for a short spell and hands Alexander Isak a clearer run to build minutes and momentum after his move. Those are the headlines that matter right now.
What actually happened in that game
You do not need to read a stats notebook to understand the drama. Ekitiké came on, scored the winning goal, then lost his head in the moment and removed his shirt.
He already had a yellow and that second booking ruled him out. Slot called it out directly, and Ekitiké later apologised on social media.
Isak, on the other hand, scored on his debut in the same match, giving him more confidence into the next fixtures.
Why this isn’t only about who scores more
Fans often reduce the debate to goals. But Slot’s system asks more of the number nine than just scoring.
He wants tactical intelligence, pressing from the front, and the ability to link play. Isak and Ekitiké bring different things. Isak looks like the kind of forward who can hold the ball, win headers, and bring the wide players into play.
Ekitiké is more mobile, runs in behind, presses hard, and can unsettle defenders with quick moves.
That variety is useful. Slot is not being indecisive for the sake of it. He is trying to pick the striker who best helps the team win given the opponent and the game plan.
What the manager said about the situation
Slot did not dress this up. He called the sending off “stupid” and questioned the lack of discipline. That matters because managers tend to protect players they plan to rely on.
Public criticism is a sign the coach expects better and may use it to shape behaviour.
Slot also mentioned easing Isak back into the team as he builds fitness after his transfer. Those comments give us a clear read on the short term.
How Isak and Ekitiké actually look when you watch them play
Isak
• He holds up the ball well. That lets midfielders move into the box.
• Wins aerial duels. Useful when Liverpool need a plan B.
• Looks calm in the box and picks good spots to receive passes.
Still building sharpness after joining the club, so his movement is not perfect yet.
Ekitiké
• He’s Fast and unpredictable. He makes forward runs that can split centre backs.
• Presses high and often makes life difficult for opponents trying to play out.
• Shows real hunger and emotion, which can lift a team.
• Can lose control in the heat of the moment, as we saw with the celebration that got him sent off.
Both players have clear strengths and weaknesses. That is why Slot values having both.
The numbers that matter without getting weird
I am not going to drown you in xG tables. The useful things are simple and checkable: minutes played, goals scored in those minutes, and the way a player’s actions change the team’s shape.
Isak has not played many minutes yet for Liverpool, but he scored in his first few appearances which helps. A goal early on buys a player time and trust.
Ekitiké has shown edge and a higher pressing output in short bursts. That aggressive style can create turnovers higher up the pitch.
If you want the full spreadsheets later I can pull them, but the simple takeaway is this. Isak gives you stability and finishing. Ekitiké gives you energy and chaos. Both are useful at the right time.
Why that red card celebration really matters
This is where the human side plays a role. Football is full of emotion. Players celebrate because they are alive in the moment. Fans love that. But teams also get punished for losing discipline.
Slot was right to call the sending off “st*pid” because it was avoidable and it cost the team depth for the next match.
Managers notice that, if a player looks like a risk to the team more often than a benefit, his minutes can drop even if he scores goals.
Ekitiké’s apology shows he understands what happened. That will help, but the suspension gives Isak breathing room.
What Ekitiké’s suspension means for the striker battle
With Ekitiké suspended for a short run, Isak will naturally get more starts. That is the moment all new signings need. If Isak gets a run of games and scores or links play well, Slot might stick with him as a first choice in the near term.
If Isak falters, Ekitiké’s return will be the first real test of whether the manager picks emotion and unpredictability or calm and clinical finishing.
This season is long and injuries will happen. One incident does not decide everything. But timing matters and Ekitiké’s red card was poor timing for him personally.
What pundits and ex players are saying
The range of views is what you would expect. Some pundits say Isak is the safer bet because he brings a finish and a physical presence in the box.
Others argue Liverpool have always done well when they have a bit of unpredictability and edge. Social media is loud on both sides, which can make the debate feel bigger than it is.
The sensible pundits point to fitness and form. If Isak gets fit and matches the team’s tempo, he will be hard to drop. If he takes time, Ekitiké will have opportunities to show his worth.
A short history lesson that matters here
Liverpool’s recent success came from players fitting the system. The manager’s plan matters more than a single name. This club often rotated forwards based on the game plan.
If Slot wants more hold up play against a team that sits deep, Isak is useful. If Slot wants to press a high defensive line or punish slow centre halves, Ekitiké’s runs are perfect.
So the real question isn’t just which striker is better. It’s which striker helps Liverpool beat the team they face on Saturday.
That changing chessboard is why managers keep two good options. No single headline will settle it.
How fitness and injuries could determine the Ekitiké vs Isak battle
Clubs build depth because players get tired and injured. Isak arrived with questions about match sharpness because he only recently completed his move and missed pre season in full with the new group.
The medical staff will manage his minutes. Ekitiké, by contrast, has been sharper in short cameos. Slot can use that to manage the schedule.
Whoever stays more fit and avoids dips in form will be the one playing more across a season that asks a lot of every striker.
What the raw stats would still tell you
When you cut through all the noise, the stats that actually matter in this debate are pretty simple.
Goals are important, of course, but minutes tell you more, a striker who scores once off the bench isn’t the same as one who delivers over a proper run of starts.
Pressing is another big factor in the Premier League, because when it’s done well it creates chances out of nothing.
That’s an area where Ekitiké has stood out in his short spells on the pitch. And then there’s link-up play, which can lift the whole attack.
Isak’s ability to hold the ball and bring others into the game gives Liverpool a different dimension. Put together, those things explain why Slot keeps rotating.
What the fans are really saying
Sometimes you don’t need spreadsheets or deep stats to understand a debate, just listen to the fans. They tell you what really matters on an emotional level.
Some supporters, the ones dreaming about a title push, will lean toward the striker who guarantees steady returns and avoids costly mistakes.
Others, who watch football for the drama and theatre, crave the player who makes the match come alive with flashes of brilliance.
And then there are plenty of fans who don’t overthink it. For them, the only thing that counts is Liverpool winning. If either striker delivers that, they’re happy.
That’s why this argument never truly ends. It isn’t just about footballing ability, it’s about identity.
Liverpool supporters admire players who wear their heart on their sleeve, but they also value consistency.
The twist is that Ekitiké and Isak each bring one of those qualities in abundance and that’s what keeps the debate rolling.
Right now, Isak has a small edge. He has scored on his early outings and Ekitiké’s suspension hands Isak more minutes to press his case. But that edge is thin because slot values two different types of forward.
If Isak scores consistently and helps the team keep clean sheets or control games better, he becomes first choice.
If Isak struggles with tempo, Ekitiké’s return will be a real test to see if Slot trusts raw energy over polished finishing. Either way, this feels like a long season chess match, not a sprint.
What to watch next week and next month
If you’re trying to figure out who’s really ahead in the striker race, it’s not about one flashy goal or one mistake. The real clues will show up in the weeks ahead.
Watch if Isak starts the next league game and stays on for most of it regular minutes usually mean the manager is building trust.
Then see what happens when Ekitiké’s suspension is over. If he’s straight back in, it tells you Slot still values his spark. If he sits on the bench again, that’s a clear sign Isak has moved ahead.
Discipline will also matter; even little things like whether Ekitiké avoids silly bookings will influence Slot’s thinking.
And finally, pay attention to how each striker fits into the manager’s game plan. The one who looks more in tune with Slot’s system over several matches will naturally become the go-to option.
What this means for Liverpool’s season
If Isak nails down the role, Liverpool get a tall, composed striker who can finish and allow wide players to flourish.
If Ekitiké becomes the main man, the team may play with more energy and chaos in attack. Either way, the presence of both options should make Liverpool harder to plan for.
The risk is that both start to rotate too much and neither finds real rhythm. Slot needs balance. That is his task right now.
Quick Q&A for fans who just want the gist
Who’s the first choice right now?
Honestly, no one has nailed it down yet. But if we’re being real, Isak is a step ahead at the moment. He got his goal, and with Ekitiké banned, he’s getting more time on the pitch.
Did Ekitiké ruin his Liverpool career with that red card?
Not at all. It was a silly moment, he knows it, and he said sorry. One mistake doesn’t end a career at Liverpool. What matters is how he reacts when he’s back.
Will Slot just rotate depending on the opponent?
Yeah, pretty much. He’s the kind of manager who tweaks things game by game. Some matches suit Isak’s hold-up play, others suit Ekitiké’s pace and pressing. It’s not about favourites, it’s about who fits the plan on the day.
Ekitiké vs Isak makes for great debate and will keep fans talking. Right now, Isak sits with a slight lead because of his goal and the extra minutes the suspension has given him. But this is far from decided.
Ekitiké’s raw energy and pressing make him a real weapon when Liverpool need pace and trouble for defenders.
Slot has two useful options and that flexibility might be what wins Liverpool big games this season.
If you want one line. Isak is slightly ahead today. Ekitiké is only a small mistake away from changing the conversation again. Keep watching and judge over a month, not a match.
Who would you pick as Liverpool’s number nine under Slot for the next big game? The calm finisher Isak or Ekitiké? Drop a comment and tell me why.
