Ekitike discusses Isak's injury and opportunity to prove himself as first-choice striker

Hugo Ekitike expressed grief over Alexander Isak's injury; however, he welcomed the chance to prove himself to Arne Slot and the fans, as he is eager to establish himself as the Reds' first-choice striker. 

Isak suffered a nasty ankle injury, including a fractured fibula, in Liverpool’s 2–1 Premier League win over Tottenham last December, which required surgery and is expected to keep him out for several months

This has opened the door for Liverpool’s £79 million summer signing from Eintracht Frankfurt to stake a prolonged claim as the club’s first-choice centre forward. 

Isak, who joined Liverpool for a British record £125 million, had struggled for form with just three goals in 16 appearances before the setback was expected to compete with Ekitike for starts after arriving from Newcastle. 

Ekitike had welcomed the competition earlier in the season, saying he was ready to work hard and that the battle for places was “only one man’s problem” for coach Arne Slot to solve.

"Obviously that kind of thing happened and I was very sorry for him because it's not funny when you come to a new club and get injured with that kind of injury – it's difficult,” Ekitike told the Liverpool website after Isak’s injury. 

“But for me, I try to do my job. The coach puts me on the pitch and I'll show him and show the fans that I can help the team. It doesn't matter if I score, if I give assists, the most important [thing] for me is to win."

Ekitike has already hit the ground running with 11 goals in 24 games in all competitions and recent braces against Leeds and Brighton. With Isak's enforced absence, he now has an uninterrupted run up front, giving him a chance to consolidate the striker role and prove his quality as Liverpool’s main attacking outlet.