Alexander Isak has seized his opportunity during Hugo Ekitike's absence at Liverpool, with the Swedish striker finding his rhythm after an injury-disrupted start. The £125 million signing endured a difficult 2025-26 campaign—managing just four goals across all competitions after breaking his leg and missing pre-season—but has rediscovered his form with three goals in his last two Premier League outings against Nottingham Forest and Ipswich.
With Ekitike expected to return around the new year after suffering an Achilles injury, manager Andoni Iraola faces a selection dilemma that has divided opinion among former Liverpool players. Jermaine Pennant, the ex-Reds winger, believes the Spanish boss will find a way to field both forwards rather than leave talent on the sideline. "You can't have a player like that sitting on your bench," Pennant told GOAL. He suggests Ekitike could operate on the left wing—a position that suits his playing style—while Isak anchors the central striker role, creating a twin number nine system similar to how Luis Diaz has performed under previous Liverpool regimes.
Selection Headache Growing at Anfield
The attacking depth at Anfield has only increased this summer with the arrival of Bradley Barcola for £123 million, adding another layer of complexity to Iraola's tactical setup. Liverpool's summer spending spree in 2025 already included Florian Wirtz (£116m) and Ekitike, transforming the squad into arguably the most expensively assembled forward line in European football. Pennant's analysis suggests the club would have attempted to accommodate both strikers earlier had injuries not intervened, with Cody Gakpo's inconsistent form creating the space Isak ultimately filled.
Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler acknowledged pre-season concerns about Isak's fitness after his extended absence, with the striker required to deliver this term to justify the record British transfer fee and silence growing doubts from supporters. The Swede's recent goalscoring resurgence—including a comeback performance in the Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid, despite drawing a blank in that fixture—suggests he may finally be hitting his stride. As Ekitike's return looms, Iraola must decide whether to persist with Isak's current momentum or reshape his attacking approach to accommodate both premium talents in the squad.
